Dispatch from Poland | June ‘26
Stories to watch in the weeks ahead
- National Energy and Climate Plan is almost ready – Poland’s key document on energy and climate policy planning is expected to be adopted in June. The document will now be submitted to the European Commission after two years of delays. The energy ministry lowered the 2040 renewable energy target from a share of 79.8 percent to only 68 percent of energy production. At the same time, the output target for offshore wind farms dropped from 81 to 74 terawatt hours (TWh), while that of nuclear energy increased from 27 to 44 TWh by 2040. The energy plan assumes 6-9 gigawatts of nuclear energy capacity will be installed in two nuclear power plants until 2043. But the plan is likely to be at the centre of heated debate within the government, as the climate and energy ministries continue to disagree on key aspects.
- Controversial speed-up for renewables – Changes to the Polish Network Act, which took effect at the end of April, are accelerating the development of renewable energy projects. The regulation has been questioned by renewable energy industry representatives because it imposes new responsibilities on developers, such as the threat of losing the connection agreement if the project fails to meet certain milestones. This measure is intended to combat so-called "zombie projects" that are the result of market speculation without a clear path to implementation. The regulation could impact the pace and shape of Poland's energy transition by limiting the number of new projects.
The latest from Poland – last month in recap
- Clash over climate referendum - Poland’s conservative president Karol Nawrocki, from the right-wing Law and Justice and Confederation camp, asked the Senate to hold a national referendum on climate policy, making good on one of his campaign promises from the 2023 election. There are growing concerns in Polish society about the costs of the energy transition, and the referendum result could complicate policymaking in this area. However, Nawrocki’s rivals in the Senate, the ruling left-wing and centre-right coalition government formed by the Civic Coalition, the Polish People’s Party and The Left, rejected the idea. The main controversy focused on the question’s framing by the president: "Are you in favour of implementing the EU climate policy, which has led to increased costs of living, energy prices, and business and agricultural expenses?" Sources from the presidential office said that the president may try again with a different question in the future. He is supported by the Solidarity Workers Union.
- Green light for increased wind capacity – The Polish ministry of climate’s initiative for wind farm repowering has gained the government’s support. A governmental decree has permitted the modernisation of existing onshore wind farms, a move that could increase their generation capacity by up to 30 percent. From now on, repowering will be possible without an environmental permit, provided that the wind farm is outside of protected areas. The measure could shorten procedures by up to six months. The aim is to increase Poland's onshore wind capacity without relaxing wind farm regulations, a measure that was vetoed by the president in 2023.
- Industrial coalition opposes cut in CO2 allowance – Poland was one of six EU member states that signed a letter to the European Commission against cutting free allowances for industry within the EU’s emissions trading scheme (ETS). The countries argue that the planned benchmark revision for the 2026-2030 period does not adequately consider national circumstances. They say the revision threatens the survival of European heavy industry and that there are no available technologies that can help them meet the EC's decarbonisation goals. The group proposed freezing the free allowance pool and changing the European methodology so that it includes more than just the top ten percent of most efficient installations.
Wojtek’s picks – highlights from upcoming events and top reads
- Polish think tank Forum Energii is leading an Energy Security Outlook Conference. It will show a new edition of its widely acknowledged report on 24 June, an annual update of data on Polish energy and climate policy. In the meantime, Forum Energii is also having its ten-year anniversary this June.
- Poland and Ukraine are organising a Ukraine Recovery Conference, planned for 24 to 25 June in Gdańsk. The goal is to bring together politicians and businesses interested in rebuilding the Ukrainian economy after the war with Russia ends. Energy is one of the main sectors to be represented at the meeting, and the transition to clean energy is one its most promoted trends. Western countries and companies are invited to participate in the process. This could offer a way to simultaneously support the energy transition and regional security.
On 9 June, the fourth German-Polish Energy Transition Forum is to take place in Polish embassy in Berlin. This event is always a great opportunity to discuss energy transition topics and network people from both sides of the river Oder and beyond. Highly recommend!
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