Will the fresh Polish administration propel a renaissance in renewable energy?

In the aftermath of the Polish parliamentary elections held on October 15, 2023, the winning democratic coalition, led by the Civic Coalition, has presented an extensive energy transformation plan aimed at reducing carbon emissions and accelerating the development of renewable energy sources.

One of the key aspects of the Civic Coalition's 100 policies for the new term of office is the restoration of beneficial billing of renewable energy for prosumers. This move is expected to encourage more households and businesses to generate and consume their own renewable energy, thereby promoting energy independence and sustainability.

The Civic Coalition's plan also includes a significant government investment in renewable energy sources, amounting to 170 billion PLN. This investment will be directed towards unblocking wind energy on land, liberalizing the wind turbine act, and reducing the minimum distance from buildings for wind turbines to 500 meters.

The Civic Coalition's support for nuclear energy, however, remains unchanged from 2009. The construction of a nuclear energy plant remains uncertain, as the result isn't yet decided. The new prime minister is putting pressure on American companies Westinghouse and Bechtel to change the terms of their contract for a nuclear power plant in Poland, but the future of nuclear energy in the country remains uncertain.

The Civic Coalition aims to have 68% of energy produced in Poland come from renewable sources by 2030, compared to 2022. To achieve this goal, the coalition plans to create 700 energy communities that will produce their own power. The coalition also calls for renaturalisation and a wetland restoration programme, demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability.

The anti-EU Confederation acknowledges the need for urgent changes in Poland's energy mix. They focus on the development of water energy, while the New Left expresses strong support for the construction of a nuclear energy plant. The large nuclear energy is even more expensive now than it was 15 years ago, raising questions about its feasibility and cost-effectiveness.

The small modular reactor (SMR) technology is still in its infancy, adding another layer of uncertainty to the future of nuclear energy in Poland. The costs and legal procedures of a nuclear energy investment were too much for Polish civil servants in 2009, and it remains to be seen whether these barriers can be overcome in the future.

The Civic Coalition's energy transformation plan aims to reduce CO emissions by 75% by 2030, a ambitious but achievable goal that reflects the coalition's commitment to a sustainable and environmentally friendly future for Poland. The plan is a significant step towards a greener and more independent energy sector in the country.