In 2011, Poland's energy consumption from renewable sources was 8,8% , of which 56% came from biomass . Despite this, the largest share of installed renewable energy capacity belonged to wind and hydropower . Over the past decade, Poland has taken significant steps toward an energy transition, primarily focused on wind, solar, and biomass, driven by both European Union directives and the need to reduce its reliance on coal.
Poland's energy context and objectives
This progress in the use of renewable energy is not solely due to European Union directives, which required Poland to achieve a 15% share of renewables in final energy consumption by 2020, but also to the need to modernize its energy infrastructure and protect the environment. The country, historically dependent on coal for electricity generation, has faced challenges in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
In 2021, according to the Renewable Energy Institute, 44% of the energy produced in Poland already came from renewable sources, with solar energy accounting for 60% of renewable production . This growth is the result of policies aimed at promoting the use of clean energy and new investments in infrastructure.
The rise of solar energy in Poland
One of the sectors where Poland has experienced spectacular growth is solar photovoltaics . In 2024, solar generation capacity reached 17,73 GW, a substantial increase from 7,7 GW in 2021. Poland has established itself as one of the leaders in solar capacity growth within the European Union, ranking second only to Germany.
In 2023, most of this energy came from prosumers —individuals and small businesses that have installed solar panels on their roofs, connecting their production directly to the electricity grid. The success of this model has been driven by rising carbon prices and government incentives, such as tax breaks for individually owned solar installations.
The growth of solar photovoltaic energy shows no signs of slowing down. By 2025, Poland expects to double its installed capacity again, which would solidify its position as one of the leading players in the European renewable energy market. This is also in line with its energy strategy of diversification and reduced dependence on coal.
Bioenergy and its future in Poland
The bioenergy sector also has a promising future in Poland. Currently, biomass and biogas account for 20% of the renewable electricity generated in the country. It is expected that by 2030, bioenergy could cover up to 50% of the country's electricity needs.
Biomass plays a crucial role in renewable energy production in Poland, especially in co-firing with coal. However, this method has been criticised for the resulting low efficiency and for the lack of sustainability in some of the biomass sources used. As regulations become more stringent, Poland is expected to adapt its processes to improve bioenergy efficiency.
The role of wind energy in Poland
Wind energy , both onshore and offshore, is a fundamental pillar of the country's energy transition. Despite legislative restrictions implemented in 2015 under the Law and Justice government, which limited the construction of onshore wind farms to a considerable distance from homes, the potential of wind energy in Poland is enormous.
One rapidly expanding sector is offshore wind energy . By 2035, Poland is expected to have an installed capacity of 10,7 GW of offshore wind energy , thanks to infrastructure investments in the Baltic Sea and regulatory advancements that support the development of this industry.
As for onshore wind, while its growth has been slowed, economic and environmental pressures are expected to force the government to reconsider restrictions. Onshore wind is one of the cheapest sources of energy, especially with rising coal prices, and its expansion would allow Poland to move more quickly towards its decarbonisation goals.
Future challenges and opportunities
Despite progress in renewable energy, Poland still faces significant challenges. Its carbon dependence is persistent, and although important steps have been taken towards decarbonisation, delays in implementing long-term strategies have been a cause of criticism. For example, the Polish Energy Plan for 2040 was launched in 2021, but has already been criticised for not including binding targets for coal phase-out.
Natural gas, while promoted as a key element in the transition to cleaner energy, also raises concerns about its price volatility and environmental impact. The projected 200% increase in gas use in the coming years could make Poland vulnerable to fluctuations in the international gas market.
Furthermore, implementing a more robust strategy for domestic batteries and energy storage will be key to optimizing renewable energy consumption, especially in the solar sector, where Poland has experienced impressive growth.
In the coming years, investment in infrastructure, particularly in the modernisation of electricity grids and the development of storage technologies, will be crucial. Specific auctions for renewable technologies, such as solar and offshore wind, will continue to play an important role in shaping the country's energy future.
With bold moves towards offshore wind, photovoltaic and bioenergy technologies, Poland is emerging as a growth market, but still has a long way to go to fully meet its climate commitments and reduce its dependence on coal and fossil fuels.