So instead of emerging as a climate laggard compared to wealthier European peers, Poland is keeping pace with the cuts to coal use and power emissions seen elsewhere, and may soon force emissions forecasters to trim their future pollution projections across the region.
TARGETED CUTSEmissions forecasters using planned power generation data from major economies estimate that Europe's total carbon dioxide emissions will drop by 47% from 2022's total by 2030, largely due to planned steep cuts to coal use in Germany.
Over the same time frame, Poland's electricity generation from coal has dropped by roughly 20%, resulting in an equal magnitude drop in coal-fired emissions.
PRICE PAINGoing forward, a key factor that will drive Poland's overall electricity demand will be the price of it.
If coal prices remain stubbornly strong relative to gas, then Poland's power producers may find themselves in the unenviable position of potentially ranking among the highest cost electricity generators in Europe.
Persons:
Gavin Maguire, Christopher Cushing
Organizations:
Poland, European Union, World Bank, COVID, Reuters, Thomson
Locations:
LITTLETON , Colorado, Poland, Germany, Western Europe, Europe, France, The Netherlands, Spain