Report: Energy in Poland

            Recent political transformation form socialism was big burden for Poland, we are still facing problems related with it – consequences of backward industry and economy. Develop involves cost, there is lack of money. We have to invest in industry gradually, step by step. Ecology still remains huge problem. Power plants build in 60s, 70s and 80s are backward, ineffective and harmful for environmental.

            Today energy in Poland is produced mainly (over 90%) from coal. The reason is coal is one of few power resources that could be found in Poland and also one which amount is sufficient for country-wide power production. What is more, comparing to natural resources, coal is quite cheap in exploitation.

            Poland is trying to use as many renewable sources of energy as possible. Still though, it is a bit over 6% of whole usage. For example, countries like Sweden or Austria use over 40% of such energy.

            We are tying to change this situation building wind turbines, for example in Suwałki and Pomorze. Also there is water turbine in Włocławek. In addition, we are modernising our infrastructure, maybe slow, but all the time. And here again the problem is with people and money. Building new environmental-friendly power plants is big burden for national budget. One of compromise solutions is instead of building very expensive new, ecologic power plants, use still coal, but reduce pollution by special filters. Also, we cannot forget about education our society, Poles don’t realize how big potential is in eco-friendly energy.

            Unfortunately Poland hasn’t any nuclear power plants. There was an idea of building one in Żarnowiec in 80s, but people living around started to protest and the power plant remains unfinished. The Polish citizens are still feared by the Chernobyl catastrophe. They don’t realise that with today’s technology and security procedures, the nuclear power is the safest an the cheapest of all the energy production way we know. The radioactive trash is mainly stored in old mines several hundreds or thousands of meters below the ground, where it can’t harm anybody. Even though in 2008 over 48% of people ware against nuclear energy.

            There is a chance of building such power plant somewhere in the North of Poland, but it still is too expensive for us. There is also a plan of building together with Lithuania in Ignalina. There is already a nuclear power plant, but it was shot down because it had same reactors as in Chernobyl.

            The good news is that Polish scientist named Dobieslaw Nazimek discovered a way to ‘recycle’ the CO2. He made up a technology, giving the possibility of producing methanol. Basically it’s a kind of artificial photosynthesis. This would certainly help the entire environment. Poland could avoid spending millions of dollars for building an nuclear power plant. That would also make Poland independent from oil and petrol from Russia.

            Ecoenergy problem in Poland is opened and discussed in public forum more and more frequently. With long time invests we can change polish energy industries. We hope our government will take action to provide better future.