In August 2023, Poland’s state-owned utility PGE stunned the nation by pledging to become carbon neutral by 2040 and quit coal entirely by 2030 — a decade earlier than planned. The move, in line with EU climate ambitions, was quickly reversed after fierce backlash from mining unions in Silesia, Poland’s coal heartland, and political pressure ahead of national elections.
Eighteen months into the new pro-EU government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, progress on the energy transition remains slow. A key reform to loosen restrictions on wind turbine construction passed parliament last week but faces an expected presidential veto from Karol Nawrocki, a coal supporter elected with backing from the previous ruling party.
Poland’s reliance on coal is deeply rooted in its geology, economic history, and cultural identity. With 27.8 billion tonnes of reserves — the second-largest in the EU — coal still generates 57% of the country’s electricity, the highest share in Europe. Mining employs tens of thousands and carries strong political weight, particularly in Silesia, where miners are held in high public esteem.
Economically, the sector is struggling. Domestic output has dropped from over 250 million tonnes annually in the 1980s to about 85 million today, with production costs among the highest in the world at over 900 złoty ($243) per tonne. Heavy subsidies keep the industry afloat, costing taxpayers 9 billion złoty in 2025 — about 600 złoty per household.
Poland’s slow pace on clean energy has left it vulnerable to rising carbon costs under the EU Emissions Trading System, with new ETS2 rules set to extend carbon pricing to households from 2027. Around one-third of Polish homes still burn coal for heating, making them particularly exposed. Analysts warn that political resistance to ETS2 could delay implementation and stall the transition further.
Despite delays, Poland’s draft National Energy and Climate Plan projects coal’s near-total disappearance by 2035. Energy experts argue this could happen sooner, as economics increasingly favour renewables. In April, coal’s share of monthly electricity generation dipped below 50% for the first time, and renewables now account for 29% of the energy mix, nearly double the share in 2020.
Yet the political tug-of-war between coal defenders and clean energy advocates continues to shape policy — and Poland’s future competitiveness. Major investors, including Google, Amazon, and Mercedes, have warned that the country’s coal-heavy power mix could deter investment, while its fast-growing battery industry risks losing ground under new EU carbon footprint rules.
“The energy market and society need this investment pathway to be implemented,” said Tobiasz Adamczewski of think tank Forum Energii, adding that a just transition for coal communities will be key.
