One of the European Union's largest economies – Poland – is the only country in the EU that still generates more than half of its electricity from coal. Coal's share of the country's overall energy balance has fallen considerably in recent years, but the transition is taking place without an updated strategy, creating social and economic risks. The Green Deal and the coal industry have become highly politicised, which is why, apart from isolated cases, Polish politicians lack any consensus. In terms of the energy transition, Poland is at an important turning point; although coal mining is still significant, the transition process is developing rapidly. It should be stressed that, taken together, the available renewable energy sources account for more than half of Poland's energy generation capacity for the first time. Poland is establishing itself as Eastern Europe's energy hub. Record gas exports to Ukraine reflect Poland's growing strategic importance, underpinned by diversified import sources and extensive storage capacity. These same factors may also secure the stability of Poland's fossil fuel supplies, despite the dramatic and unpredictable situation in the Middle East.
The impact of the Middle East war on Poland
Poland's Ministry of Energy and the main infrastructure operators GAZ-SYSTEM and PERN report that Poland's energy security is not directly threatened by the war with Iran and the wider conflict in the Middle East. Poland stresses that supplies are continuing without interruption. In 2024, Poland imported most of its crude oil from Saudi Arabia – 50.7%, Norway – 31.2% and the USA – 7.9%, while in 2025 the liquefied natural gas (LNG) delivered through the port of Świnoujście came mainly from the USA (roughly 76%) and Qatar (~20%). Although oil supplies from Saudi Arabia can bypass the Strait of Hormuz by using alternative routes, this is not possible for LNG supplies from Qatar. Iranian missile and drone attacks have already caused very serious disruption to the operation of the region's energy infrastructure. Poland has introduced protective measures; for example, gas storage facilities are more than 50% full, which is enough to cover around 40 days of demand. It should be stressed that consumption is falling as the weather turns warmer.
The Poles are the only coal miners in the European Union
When the Czech Republic closed its mines after decades of falling output and rising costs, Poland officially became, in February 2026, the only EU country still mining coal. Despite shrinking volumes and growing “uncompetitiveness”, Poland's coal industry continues to operate, largely thanks to substantial state subsidies and the strong influence of the miners' trade unions.
Halting “zombie” projects in Poland
The Sejm has approved a bill targeting so-called zombie projects, that is, investments that secure a grid connection purely in order to sell it on later, thereby blocking capacity. The bill shortens the validity period of a connection from two years to one and raises the fees, preventing speculation. Although the industry broadly supports these measures, the view is that the new rules should not apply to projects already under way. Poland's electricity grid operator PSE backed the bill, noting that the current rules are holding back the development of renewable energy. The governing coalition supported the bill and the opposition parties voted against; the bill has now been sent to the Senate. If it is approved, it will go to President Karol Nawrocki, who is loyal to the opposition and who may sign the law, veto it or refer it to the Constitutional Tribunal.
More than half of capacity
Poland's Ministry of Climate has announced that at the end of 2025 renewable energy sources accounted, for the first time, for more than half of the electricity generation capacity installed in Poland. Most of this consists of solar and wind power. At the end of 2026, Poland will begin operating its first offshore wind farm, Baltic Power. At the same time, coal still supplies around half of the electricity actually generated in Poland, and Poland remains the EU country most dependent on the use of coal. Renewable energy sources, mainly solar and wind power, meanwhile account for slightly more than 29% of the electricity generated in the country.
Litigation over clean air
A Polish court has ruled that the city of Kraków was legally entitled to introduce a clean transport zone in order to protect residents' health. The recently published reasoning behind the judgment states that restrictions on older, more polluting cars are lawful and justified, particularly in view of the city's considerable air pollution. Politicians from the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party stress, however, that efforts to overturn this policy will continue. Kraków (Poland's second-largest city) introduced new restrictions from 1 January 2026.
Environmental activists and nuclear power
Poland's Supreme Administrative Court dismissed a complaint by the environmental activist group Bałtyckie-SOS about the construction of the country's first nuclear power plant, allowing the project to proceed. The activists argued that the state authorities had failed to assess the evidence properly, to ensure adequate public consultation and to evaluate the potential pollution of the Baltic Sea, but the court rejected all of the activists' objections and arguments. The planned 3.75 gigawatt nuclear power plant, due to be commissioned in the late 2030s, is a key element of Poland's transition from fossil fuels to more environmentally friendly energy.
A cold winter and the Polish energy system
Poland's energy system set several records this winter. One of the coldest winters in recent decades drove the largest volume of gas exports, reaching 13.9 million cubic metres in a single day. The gas was transported mainly to Ukraine, to help Ukrainians through the energy crisis at a time when Russian forces had intensified their attacks on critical infrastructure. The rise in volumes makes Poland Eastern Europe's largest gas terminal. Poland's leading position in this sector rests on LNG imports, pipeline gas from Norway and a share of domestic production. Other records were also set, with historic highs in domestic gas consumption and energy generation.