In 2025, Poland's electricity consumption remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which account for around 66% of the total electricity generation, with coal contributing more than half of this share. On the positive side, low-carbon energy sources represent about a third of the electricity mix, with a fairly even contribution from wind and solar power at roughly 14% and 12%, respectively. Even though these clean sources are gaining ground, there is still ample room for growth in reducing reliance on high-emission fossil fuels to tackle climate change and air pollution.
Data sources used on this page include ENTSOE, Eurostat, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Poland?
Electricity consumption in Poland has experienced a decrease compared to the previous record in 2018, with a drop of 411 kWh per person, bringing the current figure to 4185 kWh per person in 2025. However, there is an encouraging development in low-carbon electricity generation, which has seen an increase, setting a new record of 1382 kWh per person, up by 78 kWh from the previous year. This growth highlights a shift towards clean energy, although overall electricity consumption needs to be revitalized to meet the demands of electrification and technological advancement.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Poland should focus on expanding its wind and solar infrastructure, building on existing strengths. Learning from regions with successful clean energy strategies could be invaluable. For instance, countries like Denmark and Iowa have excelled in harnessing wind for electricity, which could inspire further wind capacity development in Poland. Moreover, Poland should consider adopting nuclear energy, taking cues from its geographic neighbors like Slovakia and Czechia, where nuclear generation contributes significantly—more than 40% of their electricity—proving that robust nuclear strategies can coexist with other low-carbon sources to achieve a balanced and sustainable energy mix.
History
Poland's history with low-carbon electricity has seen various developments over time. In 1990, there was a notable increase in hydropower by 1.7 TWh. The subsequent years marked a gradual rise in biofuels, especially between 2009 and 2012. Wind energy began showing significant promise in the 2010s, with consistent growth except for a few fluctuations, such as a decline in 2018. More recently, from 2021 to 2025, solar power has seen remarkable gains, particularly in 2025 with a substantial 5.4 TWh increase. Yet, not all reports are as optimistic; a slight dip in wind energy in 2025 indicates that maintaining upward momentum requires ongoing efforts to nurture and expand low-carbon sectors, particularly with an eye toward further solar and potential nuclear developments.
