Energy

Coal-Dependent. Transitioning. Securing.

Poland generates 70%+ of electricity from coal — the highest in the EU. But a massive transition is underway: first nuclear plant, Baltic offshore wind, and billions in grid modernization.

Fossil Fuels

The coal dependency challenge

Poland remains the most coal-dependent major economy in the EU. Fossil fuels dominate energy consumption, but the trend is shifting.

Fossil Fuel Energy Consumption — 2015
Poland
90%
UK
80%
Germany
80%
France
45%
USA
82%
Sweden
28%
7.4t
CO2 emissions per capita (metric tons) — above the EU average
World Bank / ESG
90%
of energy from fossil fuels — highest in the EU, but declining
World Bank / IEA
Emissions

Emissions per capita

Poland's CO2 emissions per capita are above the EU average but have been declining. The coal-to-gas transition and renewables investment are driving the reduction.

CO2 Emissions Per Capita — 2020
Poland
7.4
UK
4.6
Germany
7.3
France
4.0
USA
13.0
Sweden
3.2
Air Quality

The coal cost: air pollution

Coal dependency and household heating push PM2.5 levels well above the WHO guideline of 5 ug/m3. This is the direct health cost of Poland's energy mix.

PM2.5 Air Pollution — 2020
Poland
18.0
UK
9.9
Germany
10.3
France
9.6
USA
7.8
Sweden
5.6
5 ug/m3
WHO guideline for PM2.5 — Poland exceeds this significantly
WHO
Renewables

The green transition

Renewable energy is growing fast — solar installations have exploded, and the Baltic offshore wind program will add 11 GW by 2040. Poland's first nuclear plant is under construction.

Renewable Energy — % of total consumption — 2021
Poland
15.2%
UK
12.2%
Germany
17.6%
France
16.2%
USA
10.9%
15.2%
Renewable share of energy — growing from 5% in 2004
World Bank / IEA
11 GW
Planned Baltic offshore wind capacity — among the largest in Europe
Polish Wind Energy Association
2035
First nuclear power plant — Westinghouse AP1000 at Lubiatowo-Kopalino
Polish Nuclear Power Programme
Grid & Independence

Electricity and energy security

Electricity from renewables and net energy imports show how Poland balances energy security with decarbonization.

Electricity from Renewables — 2021
Poland
15.7%
UK
37.8%
Germany
35.6%
France
11.3%
USA
14.0%
Sweden
24.4%
Net Energy Imports — % of energy use — 2023
Poland
49%
UK
44%
Germany
70%
France
47%
USA
-9%
Sweden
28%

Negative energy imports indicate net exports. Higher import dependency means greater energy security risk. Poland has reduced import dependency through domestic coal and growing renewables.