The mining sector plays a unique role in Poland, both in terms of economy and social issues. The strategic document specifying the framework and directions of investments in the energy sector for the upcoming decades is the Energy Policy of Poland until 2040 (EPP2040). As emphasized by Minister Michał Kurtyka during the World Bank meeting, the measure of success of transition should be the way the most vulnerable regions and mining communities cope with the transition process.

Achievement of the ambitious energy transition goals would be impossible without social acceptance, in particular in context of transformation of the coal regions. The Social Agreement signed in May this year with the representatives of the mining trade unions is the first document assuming liquidation of hard coal mining. After transition of the energy sector into low carbon, extraction of energy raw materials in Poland will decrease. This does not mean however leaving the coal regions behind. Implementation of energy transition is both the challenge and opportunity to make use of the national and regional capacities
- added the Minister.

Speaking about EPP2040, Minister Kurtyka noted that the document constitutes the action plan for upgrading and modernisation of the energy sector and just and responsible energy transition. It includes the strategic assumptions on the selection of technologies to build low carbon energy system.

During the meeting, Minister Michał Kurtyka emphasized also the need to plan the projects and investments that would ensure creation of new jobs, including in particular for the youth. The youth from the regions with concentration of mining industry should be of particular focus in the transition process.

The Minister discussed also the key activities supporting just transition, including development of electromobility, wind farms and hydrogen economy.

As stressed by the Minister, Poland is the European leader in production of lithium-ion batteries used in electric cars. The planned production volume of electric cars at the first stage is 100 thousand. This project opens the cooperation opportunities between ElectroMobilty Poland and the automotive companies from all over the world. The head of the Ministry of Climate and Environment informed also that the goal determining the direction of our actions is achieving 1 million of electric cars 2025-2030. As he noted, Poland is also the largest exporter or electric buses in the EU with last year’s share in the European market reaching 46%.

The Minister of Climate and Environment drew also attention to the fact that Poland develops also its hydrogen strategy. The strategic document establishes the objectives and actions for development of the national competences and technologies for low carbon hydrogen economy. These apply to three sectors in which the hydrogen is used: energy, transport and industry, as well as its production, distribution and the necessary legal changes and financing.

Minister Kurtyka referred also to the offshore wind farms as the strategic projects of EPP2040. According to the projections, the installed capacity in 2030 perspective may reach 5.9 GW and approx. 11 GW in 2040.