According to data from the second month of 2024, coal production in Kazakhstan’s deposits decreased to 9.083 million tons, marking a 9.6% decline compared to February of the previous year. While various types of coal are mined in the country, coal accounts for the majority. The beginning of the year has seen a decrease in coal production of this type by 11.3%.
Tag: coal industry
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Polish main opposition seeks green push after October election
Poland’s largest opposition party, Civic Platform (PO), harbors ambitious plans to expedite the country’s departure from coal if it emerges victorious in the fiercely contested upcoming election. At present, Poland heavily relies on coal for electricity generation, resulting in exorbitant power prices within Europe and a substantial carbon footprint. Such circumstances could impede the nation’s ability to attract environmentally friendly projects and export energy-intensive goods, such as steel. PO envisions a radical transformation, aiming to transition from coal to wind and solar as the primary sources of Polish electricity by the decade’s end.
Grzegorz Onichimowski, a former CEO of the Polish power exchange and a member of the team shaping PO’s energy program, emphasizes the urgency of establishing renewable energy sources as the bedrock of Poland’s energy system. The party sets its sights on achieving between 65% and 70% of the country’s energy production from renewable sources by 2030.
At present, coal accounts for roughly 70% of Poland’s electricity generation. PO’s energy plan, with the support of potential coalition partners from smaller left-wing and centrist groups, entails measures like unbundling state-controlled power utilities to facilitate grid access for renewable capacity. Furthermore, the party plans to loosen regulations for constructing new onshore wind farms, thereby bolstering capacity and replacing outdated turbines with more efficient ones.
PO opposes the current government’s strategy of establishing a new state-owned company for coal-fired power plants, instead favoring the utilization of coal plants with the shortest lifespan and lowest profitability as a reserve pool for the power grid.
While polls generally indicate that the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) and its allies maintain a lead in the election race, the margin is narrow enough that PO, in collaboration with smaller parties, could potentially form a majority coalition. However, the implementation of its energy policy would require overcoming resistance from influential trade unions and potential presidential vetoes from PiS-aligned President Andrzej Duda.
Although renewable energy garners broad support among the Polish populace, the election’s primary focus remains on economic concerns, encompassing double-digit inflation and escalating energy prices. Nevertheless, the opposition may capitalize on the argument that transitioning to renewables can alleviate the cost of living.
Poland’s coal industry employs nearly 76,000 individuals, and the government has committed to sustaining coal mining until 2049. However, coal production is dwindling, leading to increased costs and reduced power generation. Embracing renewables could not only reduce energy bills but also yield savings in fuel and emission expenses.
Moreover, Poland’s competitiveness in attracting foreign industrial investments may be at stake. As companies increasingly prioritize environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) criteria, the availability of renewable power for production facilities is emerging as a pivotal factor. Therefore, Poland’s commitment to a more sustainable energy transition may prove indispensable in securing investments from companies seeking cleaner energy sources.
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Court suspends case against Poland’s Turów coal mine
The decision, which allows the mine to continue operating for the time being, was welcomed by the Polish government. However, the environmental groups that brought the case have expressed disappointment that the proceedings will drag on further.
It marks the latest twist in a long-running legal battle over the mine, which has also drawn in Poland’s neighbours, the Czech Republic and Germany, whose borders are close to Turów.
The provincial administrative court in Warsaw had yesterday been due to rule on the environmental decision that granted Turów, an open pit brown coal mine that feeds a nearby power station, a concession to operate until 2044.
Instead, the court suspended the case because parallel proceedings before the General Directorate for Environmental Protection (GDOŚ) regarding an application from the mine’s owner – state-owned energy firm PGE – to amend the environmental decision have not been concluded.
The judge noted that PGE recently withdrew its bid to amend the environmental decision, which led GDOŚ to discontinue proceedings. However, she stressed that, until the discontinuation becomes final and binding, the administrative court cannot rule on the legality of the permit.
This development was welcomed by government figures, who argue that the mine and power plant in Turów are essential for Poland’s energy security.
“The fight for Turow continues,” wrote climate minister Anna Moskwa. State assets minister Jacek Sasin called it “a key decision for Poland’s energy security”, adding that “the functioning of the mine is not threatened and the mining concession is valid until 2044”.
Even before the ruling was issued, Moskwa had insisted that the mine would remain open whatever happened. “Obviously, regardless of this ruling and decision – because we have different experiences – Turow will not be closed. We will defend energy security,” she told Polskie Radio.
A lawyer from one of the environmental groups that has challenged the legality of the environmental decision, Agnieszka Stupkiewicz of Frank Bold, admitted that the court had no choice but to suspend proceedings.
However, she criticised the “scandalous” behaviour GDOŚ, saying that the agency had not kept parties in the case nor the administrative court informed of PGE’s decision to withdraw its bid to amend the environmental decision.
Her group and other climate organisations from Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany brought their case against the environmental decision last year, arguing that there were a number of shortcomings in how it was reached, including a failure to take account of the mine’s impact on the climate.
In July, the provincial administrative court in Warsaw ordered the environmental permit to be provisionally suspended ahead of a final ruling, finding that there is a risk of significant environmental damage.
That decision was, however, later overturned by the Supreme Administrative Court. It meant that the mine was allowed to continue functioning until a final ruling on the environmental decision is issued by the Warsaw court.
Meanwhile, yesterday’s decision by the court to suspend proceedings was welcomed PGE’s CEO, Wojciech Dąbrowski, who said that “Turów mine and power plant will remain one of Poland’s most important sources of energy for at least 20 years”.
“From the very beginning, we have not recognised the legitimacy of any allegations made against the environmental decision on the Turów mine,” he added.
His comments come just a day after PGE presented a new strategy to become carbon neutral by 2040, including abandoning the use of coal by 2030. That will be achieved in part by a government plan to transfer energy firm’s coal assets to a single, separate entity.