LUT UNIVERSITY

Faculty of Engineering and Technology

Energy Technology
BH50A0220 Energy Systems

POLAND

Lappeenranta, (2024)
001934298 ISLOMBEK KOMILOV
001818110 ALISHER SAMADOV
001818055 ABBOS BAHRONOV
001712643 MD SADI IQBAL
001865118 OMKAR BK
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................3

2. ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND USE IN POLAND…………………………...4

2.1. MAJOR SOURCE OF ENERGY………………………………………………...4

2.2. SITUATION IN RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES…………...……………..5

2.3. FUTURE WITH NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS................................................. 5

3. COAL POWER PLANTS IN POLAND ...................................................................... 9

3.1. CAPACITY DISTRIBUTION……………………………………………………9

3.2. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT…………………………………………………..10

3.3. ECONOMIC FACTORS………………………………………………….……...11

4. HYDROPOWER USE IN POLAND ……………………………………………...….…..14

4.1. THE CURRENT STATUS OF HYDROPOWER IN POLAND…………………………14

4.2. HYDROPOWER SECTOR IN POLAND: ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS…………...15

4.3. POLAND HIT RENEWABLES RECORDS……………………………………….…….17

5. CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………………………19

6. REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………………….20
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1. INTRODUCTION

Poland – a country nestling in the heart of Europe, is rich in culture, history and diversity
of natural resources. In this assignment we will encounter its energy landscape, which is
characterised by different sorts of electricity generation sources. Poland, being the fifth
largest energy producer in Europe, has some challenges to go through such as balancing its
dependence on fossil fuels with the growing demand for renewable energy sources. The
main factors that are to be discussed will be general electricity generation, the role of
coal-fired power plants, and the potential of hydropower as a renewable alternative, and
they will be provided with their impact, the outlook for these energy sources and charts of
various surveys.

In recent years, Poland has been trying new sorts of energy sources in its portfolio which
has a general impact on electricity generation of the country. Especially, one of the main
electricity producers are coal fired power plants because this reliance on coal has
historically provided Poland with a reliable source of energy; we should also mention that
it has been posing detrimental effects on environment and sustainability. The
implementation of hydropower has been posing a cleaner alternative to lessen the
hazardous effects of coal power plants and has been offering better energy security. This
multifarious approach to electricity production reflects Poland's commitment to balancing
its energy needs while embracing the imperative of environmental sustainability.
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2. ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND USE IN POLAND

2.1. Major Source of Energy

Poland’s energy generation portfolio shows a country in transition. Coal, which has been
strongly established in the nation's energy identity for decades, continues to dominate, with
hard coal and lignite accounting for 69% of power(Ember Climate, 2023). After Germany,
Poland is Europe's second-largest coal producer. However, winds of change are blowing as
renewables take centre stage, upsetting the old order.

Progress Towards 1.5C power sector benchmarks in Poland 2000-2040

https://ember-climate.org/countries-and-regions/countries/poland/

Electricity output in 2022 was 178.8 terawatt hours (TWh). For the first time in the
previous seven years, energy demand reached 177.1 TWh, and Poland turned into a net
power exporter. Exports totaled 1.68 TWh in 2022. In 2022, coal accounted for 70.7% of
gross power production, 1.7 percentage points less than in the previous year. From 32% in
2022 to 38.3% in 2022, the capacity of renewable energy sources (RES) increased.
Renewable energy capacity would have exceeded coal-fired power plants by the end of
2022. Since the operational traits and tasks carried out by various sources within the
system varies greatly, this fact is only symbolic. The legacy of coal is far reaching. The
industry employs 80.000 people and serves as the lifeline of communities surrounding its
activities. Its abrupt abandonment has serious social and economic ramifications.
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2.2. Situation In Renewable Energy Sources

Despite the limitations, renewables such as wind power are gaining traction. Onshore
farms stand tall, accounting for an astonishing 53% of renewable power. The ambition
does not end there; ambitious offshore projects promise to strengthen the wind’s hold even
further. Solar power is also gaining popularity, wind rooftop installations backed by
subsidies and dropping costs accounting for a considerable 22%. Large-scale solar farms
are also participating in the dance. With a target of at least 3.4 GW of capacity by 2030,
Poland is endeavouring to establish itself as a key participant in offshore wind.

Biomass is not just a spectator; it presently accounts for 12% of renewable power.
Hydropower and novel technologies such as geothermal are also growing, diversifying the
mix. Poland ranked third in the EU for the number of installations of solar capacity during
the first half of 2022. Poland had a sharp increase in heat pump sales last year, which
helped to increase electrification.

2.3. Future with Nuclear Power Plants

Nuclear power, a possible game changer, takes a cautious approach to the scene. The first
nuclear power station is predicted to be launched in 2033 which has a potential to mitigate
the dependency on fossil fuels and diversify the energy mix. The chosen technology is
AP1000 reactors, however the exact site will be released in the close future. The success is
strongly correlated with how well the government can convince the public that nuclear
power energy is safe and on the side of efficiently handling the disposal of waste.

Although nuclear power produces carbon-free electricity and serves as a base load
generator, worries remain about construction costs, scheduling, and long-term waste
management. Poland's generation mix is approaching an important-turning point, and the
government must thoroughly manage the transition. The investments toward increasing
renewables at the same time guaranteeing a fair transition for coal-dependent areas play a
significant role. Another critical step is to integrate sophisticated technology such as
carbon capture and storage (CCS) for greener coal use.
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Balancing heritage with ambitions is a delicate dance; Poland must execute in order to
ensure a cleaner, more secure power generating landscape in the future. Its future energy
transformation's cadence and rhythm will be determined by the actions it takes now.
Finally, regional coordination with neighbouring nations to integrate grids and promote
cross-border energy trading can not only provide much-needed stability and security but
also will increase international working labour and import of new expertise for power
plants.

https://www.energy-charts.info/charts/power/chart.htm?l=en&c=DE&interval=year&year=2023

https://www.energy-charts.info/charts/power/chart.htm?l=en&c=DE&interval=year&year=2015
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Electricity generation in Poland, 1990-2022

https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-tools/energy-statistics-data-browser?country=POL&fuel=Energy
%20supply&indicator=ElecGenByFuel

Over a decade, energy generation climbed by 8.7%, from 164.4 TWh in 2013. The amount
of energy produced by traditional sources fell by 4% in 2013, going from 146.9 TWh to
140.9 TWh. Anthracite and lignite output declined (-0.9 TWh, or -1%) while gas
production grew (7.3 TWh, or 169%). Renewable energy generation has grown by 117%,
from 17 TWh in 2013 to 36.8 TWh. 36.8 TWh of power was generated by renewable
energy sources in 2022, a 20% increase over 2021. In 2022, wind power accounted for
more than half of RES revenue(53%), followed by solar PV (22%), and biomass (12%).
Aside from solar PV, wind generation reached its highest potential, at 222%, from 6 TWh
in 2013 to 19.4 TWh in 2022. Biomass co-firing declined by 57%, while hydro generation
fell by 19%.

The Polish government anticipates that the energy revolution will cost approximately $250
billion. The Energy Policy, issued in February 2021, until 2040" (PEP2040) predicts that
Poland would progressively decrease its dependency on fossil fuels like coal, which
accounts for 70% of its energy consumption. By 2030, Poland's energy mix will be
reduced to at least 56 percent coal reliance. By that time, the total share of renewable
energy sources will account for at least 23%. According to a government deal with coal
workers, Poland's final query will close in 2049. According to a research released by the
Polish Electricity Committee in October 2022, the estimated value of capital expenditures
in the areas of generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity and system heat by
2030 would be $55 billion under Poland's Energy Policy in 2040.
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3. COAL POWER PLANTS IN POLAND

3.1 Capacity distribution

Poland’s electricity production is mostly dependent on coal-fired power plants, where coal
accounts for around 68% of the total installed capacity in 2022. But these days, the country
is trying to transition towards renewable energy sources and phase out coal-fired plants
step-by-step. But here we will focus more specifically about coal power plants and their
capacity distributions across the country.

Generally, as of 2018, the total installed capacity of coal- fired power plants in Poland was
around 25.4 Gigawatts. So, breaking down the coal types there is hard coal and lignite:

1.Most coal-fired power plants in Poland utilise hard coal, contributing a significant
portion to the total capacity.

2. Lignite is softer and lower-grade coal which is used in a smaller number of power plants
than hard coal and is primarily located near the Konin region.

Breaking down the coal power plants by region, most coal reservations are concentrated in
Upper Silesia and Lublin Basin.

Source:
http://europa.eu/
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As of 2018, the total number of coal-fired power plants in Poland were 37 and the
country’s landscape is uneven. Most domination goes to Śląskie power-plant with a
staggering 5690 MW capacity, exceeding 20% of the national total. After this, it is
followed by Łódzkie (pp)with a hefty 4960 MW and Mazowieckie (pp) which contributes
3954 MW of electricity power. These are the top three regions which play a crucial role in
power generation of the country.

However, Podlaskie (pp) has the lowest capacity, a mere 157 MW, while Pomorskie (pp)
and Kujawsko-pomorskie (pp) contribute 322 MW and 283 MW respectively. This high
contrast reveals the unequal distribution of coal power across the country, therefore
showing a focus on the need of a more balanced and sustainable energy mix in the future
of power production.

3.2 Environmental impact

One of the main causes of carbon-dioxide emissions is the electricity production from coal.
The main cause of global warming is that carbon-dioxide and other greenhouse gases trap
the heat which comes from the sun which stays in the low levels in the atmosphere. As
they cannot leave space, it heats the surface and causes global warming. As we know, the
impacts are detrimental to the health of plants and animal species, moreover, causing the
melting of ice caps which causes change in climate.

Generally, if we take coal as a base the root of Poland’s air quality problems comes from
the huge amount of consumption of coal as a residential and commercial source. It is also
widely used in power production and industries; however, the top contributors are
residential and industrial sectors accounting for almost two-thirds of total energy
consumption. The others such as transport and commercial sectors account for 24% and
17.2% respectively. (Sources IEA, 2017). At some points there has been quite significant
declines in the total shares of coal usage, however, there has been a slight improvement in
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the number of the usage of the natural gas. But the most dominant one – coal highly
pollutes energy sources as we have mentioned in the previous statements.

Figure 3.1. Primary energy consumption [Mtoe] by source in Poland 1973-2015

Figure 3.2. Heat Production [Mtoe] by Source in Poland in the Period 1973-2015

3.3 Economic factors

The demand for coal and employment in the mining sector can be discussed in under two
alternative scenarios: the baseline scenario and the scenario consistent with the two-degree
climate change target (Baran, B. E., Valcea, S., Porter, T. H., & Gallagher, V. C. (2018).
Survival, expectations, and employment). According to the first scenario, production of
coal stays at a constant rate until 2030, while it changes by negative 44% in another
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scenario. Over the next two decades the decrease in total primary coal consumption leads
to a decline in domestic coal production in the baseline scenario. Nevertheless, the decline
in the two-degree scenario will be even much stronger (Table 3.3). An insignificant drop,
from 0.33EJ in 2010 to 0.29EJ in 2030 and to 0.31EJ in 2050 will be in the baseline
scenario, whereas a two-degree scenario expects negligible imports in 2030.

Table 3.3

There is a decrease in the coal power sector as well. The worker numbers were initially
29000 in 2010 and it is expected to be expanding by 13,000 additional workers by 2030 in
the baseline scenario. After that by 2050, the number of workers assumed to be decreasing
to 25,000 workers by 2050. For the second scenario, there can be a drop from 23,000 in
2030 to 11,000 of workers in that sector in 2050.

Projected supply of workers in hard coal mining

In this subsection, there will be an investigation of the future effect of the worker’s supply
in hard coal mining under two scenarios. There will be calculations of the effects of natural
attrition on the first scenario; the outflows of workers as they retire, under the assumption
of a hiring freeze (there are not any workers to enter the sector). The second scenario
portrays that inflows of new workers are stable to the sector and equal to the number of the
graduates of mining classes (approximately 1000 people each year). Results are shown in
figure 3.4.
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The first scenario implies that employment will be declining by 25% by 2025, and by 44%
by 2030(compared to levels in 2014). Then, an employment decrease accelerates in the
mid-2020s, when 3000 to 4000 miners will reach their retirement age each year. While the
second scenario describes that reductions in employment will be smaller. (12% by 2025
and 25% by 2030.)

It is important to mention that the decreases in the numbers of workers in the stable
inflows and in the demand for workers predicted in the two-degree scenario are very close
to each other (Figure 3.3). Thus, the overall simulation portrays a reasonable reduction in
hard coal mining employment which is seen in a dozen or more years without the support
of additional layoffs. There is also the reason for that because of the population ageing
which can provide an opportunity for this kind of transition to occur.

Figure 3.4. Scenarios of employment changes in the hard coal sector between 2015 and 2050

Overall, the scenarios describing the reducing employment rate will have a noticeable
impact on the newcomers. Therefore, importantly, the policy of education should be taken
into consideration for the coal transitional aims. Annually there was a reduction of 1000
workers in mining classes. It is a lot and should be reduced with the demand expectation
for workers with good skill levels that can operate properly.
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4. HYDROPOWER USE IN POLAND

Hydropower in Poland has been a significant component of the country's energy mix for
decades. As of recent data, hydropower contributes approximately 10% of Poland's
electricity generation capacity, making it the second-largest renewable energy source after
wind power. The majority of hydropower plants in Poland are small-scale, with only a few
large installations. These diminutive installations frequently operate as run-of-the-river
facilities, which means they have minimal impact on the environment compared to large
dam projects. In recent years, there has been a push to modernise and expand Poland's
hydropower infrastructure to further utilise its potential for renewable energy generation.
This includes upgrading existing facilities to improve efficiency and exploring the
feasibility of constructing new hydropower plants. However, there are challenges
associated with this expansion, including environmental concerns and the need to navigate
regulatory processes. One of the key benefits of hydropower is its reliability as a source of
renewable energy, Hydropower offers a reliable and foreseeable supply of electrical
energy. This makes it an important component of Poland's energy security strategy, helping
to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. However, there are also environmental
considerations associated with hydropower development. The construction of dams and
reservoirs can disrupt local ecosystems, alter water flow patterns, and impact fish
populations. These environmental concerns must be carefully weighed against the benefits
of hydropower generation.

Hydropower accounted for 16.3% of total global power plant installations in 2022, with a
recorded capacity of 1,387 GW, according to Global Data. By the end of 2030, it is
projected to contribute 11.7%, with an aggregated capacity of 1,557 GW. Poland's share of
global hydropower capacity stands at 0.17%.
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4.1 The current status of hydropower in Poland

The hydroelectric energy generation capacity in Poland currently stands at 994 MW, with
611 MW excluding pump-storage facilities, spread across 761 hydropower plants. The
majority of these plants, specifically 746, are categorised as small hydropower plants.
Notably, the regions with the highest hydro energy capacity include the
Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship, the Dolnośląskie Voivodeship, and the Małopolskie
Voivodeship. The largest power plant in Poland is situated at the Wloclawek dam, which
harnesses the flow of the Vistula River to generate electricity. This facility plays a pivotal
role in Poland's energy infrastructure, contributing significantly to the nation's overall
energy production and ensuring a stable power supply.

Obtaining energy from water in Poland in 2013–2020

4.2 Hydropower sector in Poland: Environmental aspects

In recent years, advancements in small hydropower technology have led to a more

environmentally friendly approach to energy generation. One notable improvement is the
implementation of fish ladders and other fish-friendly technologies, which mitigate the
negative impact of hydropower turbines on aquatic ecosystems. These innovations allow
fish species to safely navigate through hydropower installations, ensuring the continuity of
river ecosystems and preserving fish populations.
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Furthermore, the development of the small hydropower sector has brought about benefits
beyond electricity generation. These plants serve multiple purposes, including flood
control, irrigation, and water quality improvement. They also provide opportunities for
rural development and job creation, contributing to local economies.

The utilisation of hydropower resources in Poland remains relatively low, standing at only
12% compared to significantly higher rates in countries like Germany (80%), Norway
(84%), and France (almost 100%). However, there is potential for improvement through
the adoption of new technologies such as turbo regulators and coated-gate weirs, which
can enhance efficiency and reduce costs. These advancements can enable the more
effective utilisation of floodwaters and facilitate damming without extensive
hydrotechnical work, thus bolstering power generation capabilities (National Water
Management Board, 2018).

Traditionally, hydropower has been hailed as a clean and environmentally friendly energy
source. However, the construction of large hydropower stations, particularly those with
reservoirs, can have adverse environmental impacts. The displacement of communities and
the alteration of ecosystems due to flooding are significant concerns. Despite these
drawbacks, large hydropower plants offer long-term efficiency and sustainability
advantages compared to coal mines and power plants, making them relatively
environmentally friendly in the long run (Rudnicki, 2003; Malicka, 2012).

The development of small hydropower stations presents a more environmentally friendly

alternative with limited environmental impact, particularly beneficial in terms of small
water retention. These smaller installations contribute to regulating hydrographic
conditions, improving soil moisture, and enhancing groundwater levels. To further advance
this sector, efforts should focus on identifying existing damming structures on main
watercourses and exploring new potential sites (Rudnicki, 2003; Malicka, 2012).
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In determining future investment directions, the potential for constructing small

hydropower plants should be thoroughly explored (Igliński et al., 2017). Additionally,
small hydropower plants offer benefits to the power grid system by enhancing the
parameters of electric power distribution networks, particularly in high and medium
voltage systems. By supplying energy to nearby consumers, these plants minimise energy
losses associated with transportation, distribution, and transformation, which are prevalent
in larger centralised power plants (Rudnicki, 2003; Malicka, 2012).

Despite their advantages, small hydropower plants are not without drawbacks. They can
negatively impact ichthyofauna by interrupting river continuity and causing harm to fish
passing through turbines. However, modern construction practices often include the
incorporation of fish ladders, mitigating these concerns and even enhancing river patency.
This facilitates the movement of fish species, such as brown trout and salmon, to
previously inaccessible mating sites, particularly in smaller watercourses where restoration
of continuity relies on investment in small hydropower generation (Igliński et al., 2017).

4.3 Poland hit renewables records

In 2023, Europe experienced unprecedented growth in renewable energy sources coupled

with a significant decline in fossil fuel usage. Coal generation within the EU plummeted by
26%, amounting to a decrease of 116 terawatt-hours (TWh), marking its lowest recorded
level at 333 TWh. Although there was a temporary slowdown in coal plant closures during
the energy crisis, the structural decline of coal persists. Projections suggest that
approximately one-fifth of the EU's coal fleet will be decommissioned by 2025. The
analysis delves into Poland's advancements in electricity transition as of 2023, examining
both the achievements made and the challenges encountered, along with potential
opportunities for future development. The insights are drawn from Ember's European
Electricity Review 2024, which comprehensively assessed electricity generation and
demand data for the EU-27 countries throughout 2023, aiming to gauge the progress of the
region's shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
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The review scrutinises Poland's trajectory in transitioning its electricity sector towards
cleaner sources, highlighting key trends, achievements, and areas of concern. It likely
examines factors such as the proportion of electricity generated from renewables, the
decline in reliance on fossil fuels, and the overall carbon intensity of Poland's electricity
generation. By analysing the data and trends from 2023, the analysis likely identifies
notable progress in Poland's electricity transition, such as increased deployment of
renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, as well as reduced reliance on coal. It
may also recognize government policies, market dynamics, and technological
advancements that have contributed to these positive developments. However, the analysis
also likely acknowledges persistent challenges facing Poland's electricity transition, such
as the need to accelerate the phase-out of coal-fired power plants, address grid integration
issues associated with intermittent renewable energy sources, and ensure a just transition
for affected coal-dependent regions and communities.

Share of Poland’s electricity generation by source(%)

Despite some encouraging progress, Poland's energy future remains uncertain. Among the
European Union member states, Poland stands out as one of only three countries that have
not yet presented draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), which were due by
June 2023. This delay has raised concerns among experts who have long advocated for
updates to both the NECP and Poland's Energy Policy until 2040 (PEP2040). These
revisions are seen as necessary to reassess the feasibility of the ambitious 2049 coal
phase-out target and to ensure compliance with key European legislation, such as the 2018
Clean Energy Package.
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Poland currently relies heavily on fossil fuels for electricity generation, with 79% of its
electricity coming from such sources, making it the top fossil fuel user in the EU. Coal
accounts for 69% of the country's power production, while renewable energy sources
contribute only 21%, ranking Poland among the lowest in the EU in terms of renewable
energy usage. Despite having significant potential for renewables, Poland's energy
transition policies are considered insufficient compared to EU standards. The country aims
to increase renewables to only 32-50% by 2030, falling well short of the EU's target of
69% set in Repower EU. Additionally, Poland's strategy to phase out coal usage by the
year 2049 is widely criticised for being insufficient to align with global climate objectives,
particularly those aimed at curbing global warming to within 1.5°C. As a significant
emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2), this prolonged timeline for coal phase-out is viewed as
inadequate in addressing the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate
the impacts of climate change. Poland faces pressure to accelerate its transition to clean
energy or risk the EU's 2030 climate targets. While Poland's policies and targets lag behind
those of its peers, there are signs of increasing adoption of renewables by households and
industries. For instance, Poland ranked third in the EU for solar capacity installations in the
first half of 2022, and heat pump sales surged, signalling a shift towards electrification.
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5. CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Poland’s energy landscape shows the fascinating case study of navigating a
good balance between dependence on fossil fuels and the growing implications of
environmental sustainability. Coal-fired power plants have been providing reliable sources
of energy, however, they were possessing environmental problems and detrimental health
effects on human beings. Hydropower, on the other hand, has been possessing great
potential for the clean energy generation and better security and emerging as a promising
source in this transition.

However, it is not an easy path to completely turn into renewable energy. Balancing the
need for energy security and adoption of renewable resources requires careful examination
in economy, employment, social and infrastructure.

Poland is on its way to create a sustainable future for its recent investigation into various
energy sources such as hydropower. This implementation is going to be essential for the
future of safe, dependable and ecologically conscious energy as the country has a big focus
on these topics.
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6. REFERENCES

Baran, J., Lewandowski, P., Szpor, A., Witajewski-Baltvilks, J. and Antosiewicz, M.

(2018). Coal transitions in Poland - Options for a fair and feasible transition for the Polish
coal sector, IDDRI and Climate Strategies.

Source:https://ember-climate.org/countries-and-regions/countries/poland/#:~:text=Ember%
20Electricity%20Data%20Explorer%2C%20ember%2Dclimate.org

Source: https://ember-climate.org/about/

Source:https://www.power-technology.com/data-insights/top-five-hydro-power-plants-in-o
peration-in-poland/

Source: https://www.globaldata.com/

Ember Climate. (2023, February 16). Poland. Retrieved from

https://ember-climate.org/countries-and-regions/countries/poland/

International Trade Administration. (2023, January 19). Poland - Energy Sector. Retrieved
from https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/poland-energy-sector

World Nuclear Association. (2023, February 15). Nuclear Power in Poland.

IEA. (2023). Poland - Countries & Regions. https://www.iea.org/countries/poland
Ipsos. (2023, January 26). Global Energy Monitor 2023.
https://www.energy-charts.info/charts/power/chart.htm?l=en&c=PL&interval=year&year=
2015&source=public