On Tuesday, Poland adopted an energy strategy to 2040 guiding the country’s shift from coal.
The strategy is subject to numerous changes and delays as Warsaw tries to align it with the EU climate policies and tackle opposition from powerful coal unions as the higher carbon emission costs added the burden for the economy battered by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
In the plan, the government would develop renewable energy sources and nuclear power but would try to utilize its own energy resources, mainly coal, for as long as possible. By 2030, Poland plans the share of renewables in the country’s energy generations to be at least 23% with offshore wind capacity at 5.9 GW from the current level of zero.
Warsaw also pledged to begin the country’s first 1.0-1.6 GW nuclear plant. By 2030, Poland would decrease its greenhouse gas emissions by 30%.
In comparison, Poland has refused to join the EU in pledging climate neutrality by 2050, arguing that the country would require more money and time to fulfill such a pledge.
Meanwhile, environmental campaigners criticize that Poland’s strategy is inadequate. They advise that both Poland and the EU stop burning coal before 2030.
