Electricity in Poland in 2023/2024

Over the past year, from November 2023 to October 2024, electricity consumption in Poland has been predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, accounting for more than two-thirds of the total electricity generated. Among the fossil fuels, coal remains the primary source, contributing over half of the electricity, followed by gas, which supplies around 10%. Conversely, low-carbon electricity sources contribute approximately 29% to Poland's electricity mix. Wind energy leads the way among these clean sources, making up about 15%, while solar energy contributes close to 11%. Other low-carbon contributors include hydropower and biofuels, each contributing around 2% or less. Additionally, net imports account for a slight portion of the overall electricity consumption. This data highlights the need for Poland to transition towards more sustainable and cleaner energy sources to address environmental concerns and reduce fossil fuel dependency.

Suggestions

To improve the proportion of low-carbon electricity generation, Poland can focus on expanding its existing wind and solar capabilities. Given their already notable contributions, these technologies can be further developed to increase their share in the electricity mix. Additionally, exploring the addition of nuclear energy could yield significant advantages, as evidenced by several comparable countries like Slovakia, Ukraine, and Czechia, where nuclear power constitutes a substantial portion of their electricity generation. These nations offer a successful blueprint for Poland to consider when looking to diversify and strengthen its low-carbon energy portfolio. Learning from Denmark's focus on wind energy and Greece's on solar energy could also provide Poland with strategies to boost their capacity in these areas, offering pathways to a cleaner, more sustainable electricity landscape.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Poland shows a gradual increase in wind and solar energy generation over the past decades, with some fluctuation along the way. Starting in the early 2010s, wind energy saw a steady rise in generation, with annual increments mostly around 1 to 3 TWh. This growth experienced a temporary dip in 2018 but picked up again in subsequent years. By the 2020s, solar energy began contributing more significantly, hitting notable increases of 2 and then 4.4 TWh in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Recent years have seen further growth in both solar and wind capacities, though biofuels experienced a decline in the latest available data. Overall, these trends reflect a positive shift towards cleaner energy sources, underlining the potential for further development in the low-carbon electricity sector in Poland.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources