In 2024, the state of electricity consumption in Poland is primarily dominated by fossil fuels, which account for slightly more than two-thirds of the total usage. A significant portion of this comes from coal, which makes up more than half of Poland's electricity generation. On the other hand, low-carbon electricity sources constitute nearly a third of the consumption, with wind energy leading this category by contributing about 14% of the total electricity. Solar power is also making a mark, accounting for close to 9%, while biofuels and hydropower contribute smaller fractions of around 5% and 1%, respectively. Net imports play a minor role in Poland's electricity mix, making up barely more than 1%.
Is Electricity Growing in Poland?
Electricity consumption in Poland appears to be on a declining trend as of 2024, with the total electricity usage per person decreasing from its previous high point in 2021. At 4445 kWh per person in 2024, it is clear that overall electricity consumption has seen a reduction compared to the 4723 kWh per person recorded in 2021. However, there is a silver lining in terms of low-carbon electricity generation, which has shown growth. The current generation of 1313 kWh per person marks an increase from the previous record in 2023, suggesting that Poland is making progress in expanding its clean energy sources, even as overall consumption has decreased.
Suggestions
To further enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Poland should consider expanding its wind energy capacity, which is already contributing significantly to the country's clean electricity production. Moreover, looking at successful countries such as France and Slovakia, which generate 68% and 62% of their electricity from nuclear, respectively, Poland could also explore expanding its nuclear capacity. Given the global trend towards increased adoption of solar energy, as observed in regions such as Lebanon and Spain, Poland can also benefit from scaling up its solar infrastructure. These steps would help diversify the country's clean energy portfolio while reducing dependency on fossil fuels, thereby addressing both climate change and air pollution concerns.
History
During the decade of the 2010s, Poland experienced consistent growth in wind energy, with significant annual additions contributing to the expansion of low-carbon electricity. However, there was a notable decline in wind generation in 2018, revealing some volatility in this sector. In contrast, the success story of the early 2020s has been the robust growth in solar power, which saw substantial increases from 2020 through 2024. This period represents a proactive shift towards solar energy, with 2024 marking the continuation of this positive trend. Meanwhile, biofuels and hydro power have fluctuated, with biofuels experiencing a decline in 2017 before rebounding in 2020, and hydro power witnessing a reduction in 2015. These trends underscore the dynamic nature of Poland's transition to low-carbon electricity, highlighting both achievements and areas that still require attention.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.