Over the past year, from September 2024 to August 2025, Poland's electricity generation has seen a prominent reliance on fossil energy, which constitutes more than two-thirds of its electricity mix. Specifically, coal alone accounts for slightly over half of the energy produced. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources such as wind, solar, hydropower, and biofuels collectively represent just over 30% of the energy mix, with wind contributing about 14% and solar close to 12%. Hydropower and biofuels, however, make up a tiny portion, underscoring Poland's continued challenge in transitioning significantly to greener energy sources amidst a robust coal dependency. The dominance of fossil fuel underscores the urgent need to expand low-carbon energy to mitigate climate change impacts and reduce air pollution.
Is Electricity Growing in Poland?
Poland's electricity consumption appears to be shrinking rather than growing. The latest figures for 2025 show an electricity consumption of 4144 kWh per person, compared to the previous peak of 4723 kWh per person recorded in 2021. This decline of nearly 600 kWh per person indicates a contraction in demand or possibly energy efficiency measures in place. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation per person has not increased, showing a slight reduction from the 2024 record. The recent decrease by 54 kWh per person in low-carbon electricity generation indicates that recent efforts in green energy haven't been sufficient to maintain or increase past records. This trend is concerning for Poland's goal of boosting sustainable energy and points towards a pressing need for strategic investment in clean energy infrastructure.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Poland can focus on expanding its existing capacity in wind and solar, which are already significant but can be further developed. Poland can learn from countries like Denmark, which generates 57% of its electricity from wind, showcasing the potential for expansion in this area. Furthermore, nuclear energy is another viable option for Poland to consider, given the successful examples from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear constitutes 69% and 64% of electricity generation, respectively. Investing in solar can also draw inspiration from Lebanon and Nevada, where solar contributes significantly to their electricity mix. Implementing a comprehensive strategy that includes bolstering wind, solar, and possibly nuclear energy can significantly enhance Poland's electricity generation capacity, aligning with global sustainable energy demands.
History
Historically, Poland has witnessed various swings in its low-carbon electricity generation. Significant growth in wind energy was observed during the early 2010s, with consistent increments from 2011 to 2017. However, the following years saw a temporary dip in wind energy output in 2018, followed by a recovery in 2019. The introduction of solar energy around 2021 marked a fresh start, with substantial increases in the subsequent years, particularly in 2022 and 2025. Conversely, biofuels have been variable, experiencing occasional declines in 2017 and a more pronounced reduction in 2025. The progressive, yet fluctuating, progress in wind and solar energy emphasizes Poland's potential to shift towards clean energy and signifies areas for strategic growth to ensure a stable and sustainable electricity supply.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.