ENERGO: Poland to slow coal phase-out but keeps 2049 exit date unchanged

Poland will slow down weaning its power sector off burning coal but will nonetheless wind down mining in 2049 as planned, a government minister said on November 8.

Poland is scrambling to ensure energy security amidst challenges posed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On the other hand, the country’s coal mining sector is under pressure from environmental and climate regulations.

“We cannot get dependent on imported coal that is much more expensive than ours. Therefore we need to delay closing the mines,” Deputy Prime Minister Jacek Sasin told Sieci, a government-leaning weekly.

The minister added that closing down mines would only begin once Poland’s first nuclear reactor goes on-grid in 2033.

Poland’s strategy is to replace the bulk of coal- and lignite-fired electricity generation with offshore wind power and nuclear power.

The share of coal and lignite in Poland’s energy mix is expected to go down to 11%-28% by 2040 from the current 70%.

Poland banned imports of Russian coal in April without securing alternative supplies of the fuel to households ahead of the winter season.