We analyse the broad industrial sector from both a climate-energy and socio-economic perspective. We identify the potential for electrification and other technological processes in various industries, changes which will enable rapid and cost-acceptable reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
By changing the way of thinking about industrial processes and taking their carbon footprint into account in the economic calculation, the place and role of Polish companies on the global market, and thus the condition of the Polish economy, will depend on the pace of industry transformation. In the new reality, Polish industry may see its chances in the production of modern, low-emission equipment. It is their availability that may determine the pace and success of the energy transition in our country. This is an important area of analysis in the programme as well.
Industrial decarbonisation: where to begin for Poland?
The Polish industrial sector holds a well-established position within the European Union. As one of the largest industrial bases in Europe, it plays a crucial – albeit often upstream – role in the continent’s manufacturing value chain. However, this stable standing may face significant challenges in the near future, driven by rising fossil fuel energy costs and the substantial carbon footprint associated with industrial production. While the reduction of industrial emissions has become a central element in the broader European discourse on competitiveness, the topic remains conspicuously absent from discussions in Poland.
Industrial decarbonisation: where to begin for Poland?
The Polish industrial sector holds a well-established position within the European Union. As one of the largest industrial bases in Europe, it plays a crucial – albeit often upstream – role in the continent’s manufacturing value chain. However, this stable standing may face significant challenges in the near future, driven by rising fossil fuel energy costs and the substantial carbon footprint associated with industrial production. While the reduction of industrial emissions has become a central element in the broader European discourse on competitiveness, the topic remains conspicuously absent from discussions in Poland.
The 2024+ industrial deal. Strategic pathways to modernise the Polish industry
While industrial emissions reduction is a key focus in Europe’s competitiveness discussions, it is notably absent from Poland’s. This is significant given that industry accounts for 23% of Poland’s GDP, employs one in five workers, and generates a quarter of the country’s emissions and energy consumption. Forum Energii’s reports provide essential insights into Poland’s industrial landscape and available decarbonisation technologies.
The 2024+ industrial deal. Strategic pathways to modernise the Polish industry
While industrial emissions reduction is a key focus in Europe’s competitiveness discussions, it is notably absent from Poland’s. This is significant given that industry accounts for 23% of Poland’s GDP, employs one in five workers, and generates a quarter of the country’s emissions and energy consumption. Forum Energii’s reports provide essential insights into Poland’s industrial landscape and available decarbonisation technologies.
Poland’s energy transition is progressing, and 2023 was a year of real records. Although coal remains the main source of electricity production, its share in the mix fell to an all-time low of 60.5%, down 10 p.p. from a year earlier. Production from RES reached 27% for the first time. At the same time, energy production from natural gas increased, by more than 40%. This is a result of falling fuel prices and the flexibility of gas generation. Wholesale energy prices in Poland compared to other EU countries remain very high, and the economy’s dependence on imported fossil fuels is growing rapidly. In the latest, seventh edition of the “Energy Transition in Poland” report, Forum Energii presents the state of transition play and a broader look at the overall process.
Poland’s energy transition is progressing, and 2023 was a year of real records. Although coal remains the main source of electricity production, its share in the mix fell to an all-time low of 60.5%, down 10 p.p. from a year earlier. Production from RES reached 27% for the first time. At the same time, energy production from natural gas increased, by more than 40%. This is a result of falling fuel prices and the flexibility of gas generation. Wholesale energy prices in Poland compared to other EU countries remain very high, and the economy’s dependence on imported fossil fuels is growing rapidly. In the latest, seventh edition of the “Energy Transition in Poland” report, Forum Energii presents the state of transition play and a broader look at the overall process.
Over the past two years, natural gas has become a high-risk fuel: it is subject to huge price fluctuations and, following the disruption of supplies from Russia, competition for imports of this resource from other sources is increasing. Not long ago, there were plans in Poland to significantly increase the consumption of natural gas throughout the economy - by 75% by 2035. It was supposed to be a transition fuel.
Over the past two years, natural gas has become a high-risk fuel: it is subject to huge price fluctuations and, following the disruption of supplies from Russia, competition for imports of this resource from other sources is increasing. Not long ago, there were plans in Poland to significantly increase the consumption of natural gas throughout the economy - by 75% by 2035. It was supposed to be a transition fuel.
