Difference between revisions of "Poland and coal"

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{{#badges: CoalSwarm|Navbar-Polandandcoal}} 80% of Poland's electricity in 2016 was produced from coal,<ref name=IEA>[https://www.iea.org/media/countries/Poland.pdf "Poland - Energy System Overview"], [[IEA]], accessed June 2018</ref> which the government regards as being a strategic fuel guaranteeing energy security.<ref name=ENVI>[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2017/607335/IPOL_BRI(2017)607335_EN.pdf "Climate and energy policies in Poland"] European Parliament briefing, Sept. 2017</ref> However in December 2018 Poland will host the [http://cop24.gov.pl/ COP24] climate change conference.
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{{#badges: CoalSwarm|Navbar-Polandandcoal}} Coal provides half of Poland's primary energy, including 80% of its electricity.<ref name=IEA>[https://www.iea.org/media/countries/Poland.pdf "Poland - Energy System Overview"], [[IEA]], accessed June 2018</ref> The government, using the slogan ‘Poland stands on coal’,<ref>Magdalena Kuchler & Gavin Bridge,[https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2018.04.014 "Down the black hole: Sustaining national socio-technical imaginaries of coal in Poland"] Energy Research & Social Science Volume 41, July 2018, Pages 136-147</ref> claims it is a strategic fuel guaranteeing energy security.<ref name=ENVI>[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2017/607335/IPOL_BRI(2017)607335_EN.pdf "Climate and energy policies in Poland"] European Parliament briefing, Sept. 2017</ref> However in December 2018 Poland will host the [http://cop24.gov.pl/ COP24] climate change conference.
  
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
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In 2004 coal-fired power generation accounted for approximately 92% of Poland's 34.6 GW electricity generation capacity, almost entirely from domestic coal. While gas accounts for only 2.2% of electricity generation, its share is growing as overall consumption increases.<ref name="Austria">Austrian Energy Agency, [http://www.energyagency.at/enercee/pl/supplybycarrier.en.htm "Supply: Energy Sources"], September 4, 2007.</ref><ref>European Commission, [http://ec.europa.eu/energy/energy_policy/doc/factsheets/mix/mix_pl_en.pdf "Poland – Energy Mix Fact Sheet"], European Commission website, January 2007, page 2.</ref>
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In 2017, of the 170TWh of electricity generated, hard coal accounted for about half and lignite just over 30%.<ref name=Platts1/>
  
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While the Polish coal industry remains a substantial producer, the industry has undergone a dramatic restructuring with production falling by approximately one third between 1988 and 1998. The Austrian Energy Agency notes that Poland's ''Guidelines for Energy Policy of Poland until 2020'' state that hard coal production will decline to 80 million tonnes by 2020 and none will be exported.<ref name="Austria"/>
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The governing party is supported by the politically powerful coal industry, and 100,000 Polish jobs are estimated to be related to coal.<ref>[https://newint.org/features/2018/06/01/dark-clouds-poland "Dark clouds in Poland"] New Internationalist, 14 June 2018</ref> Miners are highly respected and their trade unions are also politically powerful.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/thebakersinstitute/2018/03/28/explaining-polands-coal-paradox "Explaining Poland's Coal Paradox"] Forbes, 28 March 2018</ref>
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While the Polish coal industry remains a substantial producer, the industry has undergone a dramatic restructuring with production falling by approximately one third between 1988 and 1998.  
  
 
The future of the domestic coal mining industry is therefore tied to the power generation industry, which itself is in the midst of a major shake-up. The Austrian Energy Council points out that the existing generation capacity is aging which it states "is becoming an increasingly serious problem".  
 
The future of the domestic coal mining industry is therefore tied to the power generation industry, which itself is in the midst of a major shake-up. The Austrian Energy Council points out that the existing generation capacity is aging which it states "is becoming an increasingly serious problem".  
  
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"More than half of the current capacity was built in the 1970s. Approximately 60% of the system is more than 15 years old, and 40% is more than 20 years old. More than 1.5 GWe has been in operation for more than 30 years. This problem has been exacerbated by insufficient expenditure on maintenance and modernization projects. PSE has estimated that by 2005, over 20 GWe of capacity will need rehabilitation while almost 3 GWe will need to be retired. Rehabilitation costs, including environmental protection costs, are estimated between $50 and $350 per kW of capacity. Additionally, there are plans in place to expand the existing transmission and distribution networks. These investments in the electricity industry are estimated to cost around $50 billion over the next 15 years. Much of this cost, though, is proposed to be covered in the process of privatization," the Austrian Energy Council states.<ref name="Austria"/>
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"More than half of the current capacity was built in the 1970s. Approximately 60% of the system is more than 15 years old, and 40% is more than 20 years old. More than 1.5 GWe has been in operation for more than 30 years. This problem has been exacerbated by insufficient expenditure on maintenance and modernization projects. PSE has estimated that by 2005, over 20 GWe of capacity will need rehabilitation while almost 3 GWe will need to be retired. Rehabilitation costs, including environmental protection costs, are estimated between $50 and $350 per kW of capacity. Additionally, there are plans in place to expand the existing transmission and distribution networks. These investments in the electricity industry are estimated to cost around $50 billion over the next 15 years.  
  
 
===Poland, the EU, and climate negotiations===
 
===Poland, the EU, and climate negotiations===
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Poland and [[Germany and coal|Germany]] are the EU’s biggest consumers of coal.
 +
 
In 2011, Poland drew sharp criticism when it blocked EU plans to raise its goal for reducing carbon emissions. At 20 percent by 2020, Poland already exceeds the bloc's commitment under the Kyoto Protocol.
 
In 2011, Poland drew sharp criticism when it blocked EU plans to raise its goal for reducing carbon emissions. At 20 percent by 2020, Poland already exceeds the bloc's commitment under the Kyoto Protocol.
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"Poland is 90 percent dependent on coal. Everybody knows it. For us, 20 percent is ambitious," according to Joanna Mackowiak-Pandera, undersecretary of state in the Polish environment ministry.<ref>Barbara Lewis, [http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/02/us-climate-durban-poland-idUSTRE7B10VR20111202 "Coal-reliant Poland says apt to lead EU at Durban"] Reuters, Dec. 2, 2011.</ref>
 
  
 
In 2018 Poland sued to try to avoid new EU pollution rules.<ref>[https://www.clientearth.org/clientearth-moves-defend-new-eu-rules-inexcusable-coal-industry-attack/ "ClientEarth moves to defend new EU rules from 'inexcusable' coal industry attack"] ClientEarth, Feb 28, 2018.</ref>
 
In 2018 Poland sued to try to avoid new EU pollution rules.<ref>[https://www.clientearth.org/clientearth-moves-defend-new-eu-rules-inexcusable-coal-industry-attack/ "ClientEarth moves to defend new EU rules from 'inexcusable' coal industry attack"] ClientEarth, Feb 28, 2018.</ref>
  
 
==Health costs of coal==
 
==Health costs of coal==
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A 2013 report by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) found that burning coal to produce electricity costs Europeans €42.8 billion (US $55 billion) in health care costs annually. About €8 billion of that is Poland. The new report is based on a calculation of the costs associated with premature deaths resulting from exposure to coal-related air pollution, medical visits, hospitalizations, medication and reduced activity, including working days lost.<ref>Alex Kirby, [http://wwwp.dailyclimate.org/tdc-newsroom/2013/03/coal-health-costs "Coal burning exacts a lethal price - report,"] Climate News Network, March 7, 2013.</ref>
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A 2013 report by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) found that burning coal to produce electricity costs Europeans €42.8 billion (US $55 billion) in health care costs annually. About €8 billion of that is Poland. The new report is based on a calculation of the costs associated with premature deaths resulting from exposure to coal-related air pollution, medical visits, hospitalizations, medication and reduced activity, including working days lost.<ref>Alex Kirby, [http://wwwp.dailyclimate.org/tdc-newsroom/2013/03/coal-health-costs "Coal burning exacts a lethal price - report,"] Climate News Network, 29 March 7, 2013.</ref>
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===Air Quality===
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Following a ruling from the European Court of Justice in March 2018, Poland has to immediately take measures to noticeably improve air quality.<ref>[https://energytransition.org/2018/03/polish-coal-polish-smog-polish-chaos/ "Polish coal, Polish smog, Polish chaos"] Energy Transition, 29 March 2018</ref>
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==Financial costs of coal==
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Poland is expected to be significantly negatively affected by climate change, and has an adaptation strategy which is being financed via the Infrastructure and Environment Program 2014–2020.<ref>Dorota Michalak,[https://doi.org/10.1515/cer-2017-0022 "A Comparative Analysis of Initiatives and Adaptation Measures To Climate Change Undertaken in Poland and Eastern EU Countries"] sciendo  Volume 20: Issue 3, Sept 2017</ref> Environmental campaigners say that the cost of burning coal will increase due to the increasing EU carbon price.<ref name=Reuters1>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-poland-coal-analysis/poland-turns-to-fossil-fuel-soulmate-trump-as-coal-output-flags-idUSKBN1DF1YJ "Poland turns to fossil fuel soulmate Trump as coal output flags"] Reuters, 15 Nov 2018</ref>
  
 
==Coal mining==
 
==Coal mining==
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==Coal imports==
 
==Coal imports==
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According to data by the European Association for Coal and Lignite (EUROCOAL), Poland became a net importer of coal in the 2000s. In 2010, imports of coal amounted to 13.4 million tonnes.<ref>Daan Bauwens, [http://www.ipsnews.net/2012/07/poland-clings-on-to-coal/ "Poland Clings On to Coal,"] Inter Press News Service, July 2, 2012.</ref>
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Rather than increasing energy security by developing indigenous wind power Poland is attempting to replace some of its coal imports from [[Russia and coal|Russia]] with more expensive imports from the [[United States and coal|USA]].<ref name=Reuters1/>
  
 
==Coal plants==
 
==Coal plants==
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Poland’s largest utility, PGE, is extremely dependent on coal.<ref>[http://ieefa.org/ieefa-europe-polands-pge-struggles-to-break-from-its-fossil-fuel-past/ "IEEFA Europe: As risks mount, Poland’s PGE struggles to break from its fossil fuel past"] IEEFA, 14 June 2018</ref> Click [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnTt3iwid6uJdEtzU2pqUUtVMkVVczlFa3lfZjQyVlE&usp=sharing#gid=0 here] for a list of coal plants in Poland (compiled by Greenpeace).
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10GW of new coal-fired power in Poland is scheduled to become operational before 2028<ref name=Powermag/> and Poland’s largest utility, PGE, is extremely dependent on coal.<ref>[http://ieefa.org/ieefa-europe-polands-pge-struggles-to-break-from-its-fossil-fuel-past/ "IEEFA Europe: As risks mount, Poland’s PGE struggles to break from its fossil fuel past"] IEEFA, 14 June 2018</ref>
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==Proposed Coal-Fired Power Stations==
 
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Poland [http://www.ure.gov.pl/uremapoze/mapa.html plans] to construct a capacity of 11,300 megawatts of coal power by 2020.<ref name=bw/>
 
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*[[Belchatow 2 Power Station]] in Rogowiec is proposed by Alstom for Elektrownia Belchatow to have an installed capacity of 833 megawatts and cost over 900 million euros. It is proposed that the plant will be commissioned in October 2010.<ref>Alstom, [http://www.de.alstom.com/pr_corp/2006/de/37322.EN.php?languageId=DE&dir=/pr_corp/2006/de/&idRubriqueCourante=15075 "Alstom to supply the largest clean coal power plant ever built in Poland"], Alstom website, October 16, 2006.</ref><ref>Alstom, [http://www.power.alstom.com/_eLibrary/presentation/upload_34429.pdf "Belchatow"], Alrom website, accessed July 2008.</ref> Alstom Poland state that in October 2008 the company signed a contract with the Polish utility BOT Elektrownia Belchatow SA to build  what "will be the largest power plant ever built in the country ... The plant would generate 10% less CO2 on a per KWh basis than the typical coal plant in the region."<ref>Alstom, [http://www.transport.alstom.com/home/elibrary/panorama/_files/file_31367_44963.pdf "ALSTOM in Poland: A highly promising market"], Alstom website, undated, accessed July 2008.</ref> The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which funded the project, states on its website that "the project represents a major step in upgrading existing generating assets in Poland to ensure that they meet EU environmental legislation post 2008, notably requirements of the [[European Union Large Combustion Plant Directive|EU Large Combustion Plant]] and IPPC directives. The project is also an integral part of Polish governmental energy security program."<ref>European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, [http://www.ebrd.com/projects/eias/25438.htm Belchatow II: Environmental Impact Assessment], August 2005.</ref>
 
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* [[Bielsko Biala Power Station]] is a complex of coal-fired combined heat and power plants at Czechowice-Dziedzice near Bielsko-Biała, Poland. The complex is operated by Południowy Koncern Energetyczny, a subsidiary of the [[Tauron Group]]. In 2009, it was announced that Tauron Group is planning to build a new generation unit with power capacity of 50MW and thermal capacity of 150MW. Operation is planned for March 2013.<ref name=construction>
 
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{{Cite news
 
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| title = Tauron to build new power unit for Bielsko Biala power station
 
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| publisher = PMR
 
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| date = 2009-04-17
 
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| url= http://www.constructionpoland.com/71274/Tauron_to_build_new_power_unit_for_Bielsko_Biala_power_station.shtml
 
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| accessdate =2010-11-30}}
 
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</ref>
 
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*[[Gubin Power Project]] is a proposed new lignite coal mine and 1,800-2,700MW coal power station in the Gubin area by state-owned [[Polska Grupa Energetyczna]], "if climate policy allows for economic validity of the project," according to the company's 2012 strategy report. The station has a proposed commercial operation date of 2030. Project plans include possible extension of the new plant with [[CCS]].<ref>[http://www.pgesa.pl/en/InvestorRelations/Documents/PGE%20Group%20strategy%202012_2035_presentation.pdf "Creating value and safe future PGE Group Strategy 2012-2035,"] PGE, Feb. 2012.</ref>
 
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*[[Jaworzno Power Station]] is a 1.35GW coal power station with six units at Jaworzno, Poland. It is owned by the [[Tauron Group]].<ref name=tau>[http://www.pl.ej3.pkesa.com/en/content/history "History: We build modernity based on 100-year-long tradition,"] Tauron website, accessed Sep. 2012.</ref> Tauron is looking for bidders to build an additional 800-910 MW unit at the power plant, planned for 2018.<ref>[http://www.gowarsaw.eu/en/news/power-group-tauron-again-puts-off-deadline-for-eur-1-1bn-jaworzn "Power group Tauron again puts off deadline for EUR 1.1bn Jaworzno unit,"] GoWarsaw.eu, August 13, 2012.</ref>
 
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* [[Kozienice Power Station]] is a coal-fired thermal power station in Świerże Górne near Kozienice, Poland. It is Poland's second largest power station with an installed capacity of 2,820 MW (ten units). It is owned by Grupa Energetyczna Enea SA (Enea).<ref>[http://www.elko.com.pl/elkoweb/site2/site.php?module=page&cmd=show&section_code=ABOUT_US&code=about3&id_section=4 "Enea: About Us: Power Plant specifications,"] Enea website, accessed September 2012.</ref> Enea plans for an additional €1.3 billion coal-fired unit at the station with an installed capacity of 1000 MW. Construction will start in 2012. Enea group has also signed a PLN 22.5 million (€5.2 million) coal supply agreement with Bogdanka coal mine, expiring in 2036.<ref>[http://www.cleantechpoland.com/en/fossil-fuels/coal-fossil-fuels/enea-to-start-a-1000mw-coal-fired-project-in-2012/ "Enea to start a 1000MW coal-fired project in 2012,"] Cleantech Poland, January 24, 2012.</ref>
 
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*[[Leczna Power Station]] is a proposed 800 MW coal station by [[GDF SUEZ Energia Polska SA]] for Poland, near the Ukraine border. As of 2011 there is no visible construction, and the plant may be an alternative for the proposed [[Lublin Power Station]] in Poland.<ref>[http://www.clientearth.org/reports/pl-national-investments-plan-analysis.pdf "ClientEarth Summary Briefing of Analysis of Polish National Investment Plan for Article 10c) ETS Directive application for transitional free allowances,"] ClientEarth Summary Briefing, July 2, 2012.</ref> 
 
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*[[Lublin Power Station]] is a proposed 136MW coal plant announced in June 2010 by [[Polska Grupa Energetyczna]] SA, Poland’s largest power utility, and [[GDF SUEZ Energia Polska SA]]. Each company would own 50 percent of the plant, while the capacity or value for the venture remain unknown.<ref>Nathaniel Espino, [http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-06-16/poland-s-pge-gdf-suez-agree-to-build-coal-fired-power-plant.html "Poland’s PGE, GDF Suez Agree to Build Coal-Fired Power Plant"] Bloomberg BusinessWeek, June 16, 2010.</ref> It is scheduled to be completed in 2018.<ref>[http://www.pgesa.pl/en/InvestorRelations/Documents/PGE%20Group%20strategy%202012_2035_presentation.pdf "Creating value and safe future PGE Group Strategy 2012-2035,"] PGE, Feb. 2012.</ref>
 
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*[[Opole Power Station]] is a 1532 MW coal power station in Opole, Poland, operated by the state-owned [[Polska Grupa Energetyczna]] (PGE Group). In April 2013, PGE Group cancelled plans to add two hard coal fired 900 MW supercritical power units (5 and 6).<ref>http://www.pgesa.pl/en/InvestorRelations/Documents/PGE%20Group%20strategy%202012_2035_presentation.pdf "Creating value and safe future PGE Group Strategy 2012-2035,"] PGE, Feb. 2012.</ref><ref>Chris Borowski and Agnieszka Barteczko, [http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/05/poland-pge-opole-idUSL5N0CS24620130405 "UPDATE 2-Polish utility PGE scraps $3.6 bln coal power project,"] Reuters, April 5, 2013</ref>
 
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*[[Ostroleka Power Station]] is a coal-fired thermal power station in Ostrołęka owned by [[Energa]]. It consists of two parts: the  Ostrołęka A combined heat and power plant with installed capacity of 93MW electricity and 456MW of heat was built in 1956. The Ostrołęka B power station was built in 1972. It consists of three units with combined installed capacity of 647MW.<ref name=platts>
 
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{{cite news
 
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| url= http://www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews/RSSFeed/Coal/8085925
 
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| title= Polish coal miner Bogdanka to supply Ostroleka power plant
 
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| publisher = [[Platts]]
 
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| date=2010-10-20
 
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| accessdate=2010-12-04}}
 
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</ref> There is a plan to build a 1,000 MW Ostrołęka C unit by 2015.<ref name=platts/><ref name=pmr>
 
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{{cite news
 
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| url= http://www.constructionpoland.com/61810/Energa_upgrading_Ostroleka_power_station.shtml
 
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| title= Energa upgrading Ostroleka power station
 
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| publisher = PMR
 
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| work = Construction Sector in Poland
 
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| date=2008-06-30
 
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| accessdate=2010-12-04}}
 
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</ref>  It would be supplied by coal from the [[Bogdanka Coal Mine]].<ref name=platts/>
 
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*[[Patnow II Power Station]] is a 464 megawatt unit proposed by Zespol Elektrowni Patnow-Adamow-Konin, S.A. with a contracted commissioning date of December 31, 2007.<ref>ZE PAK, [http://www.zepak.com.pl/en/patnow/history "History of the Construction Project"], ZE PAK website, accessed July 2008.</ref>
 
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*[[Piast Ruch Power Station]] is a proposal by [[RWE]] for a 800 megawatt power station to be built on the Piast Ruch II coal mine in the village of Wola in Silesia. The project will be a joint venture between RWE and [[Kompania Węglowa]], which owns the minesite and will supply the coal. It is proposed that the 1.5 billion euro project be commissioned in 2015.<ref>RWE, [http://www.rwestoen.pl/index.php?id=921&L=1 "RWE planning to invest 1.5 billion euros in Polish power generation sector"], Media Release, June 12, 2008.</ref> In June 2008 RWE and Kompania Węglowa stated that the project would consume approximately 2.5 million tonnes of locally produced hard coal a year. The joint venturers  have flagged that they are aiming to get approvals for the project in 2009-2010. <ref>RWE, [http://www.rwestoen.pl/fileadmin/RWESTOEN/media/12_06_08_EN_NEW_INVESTMENT_OF_RWE_IN_PL.pdf "Press Meeting of RWE and Kompania Węglowa"], June 12, 2008, pages 10-11. (Large Pdf file).</ref>
 
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*[[Polnoc Power Station]] is a 2000 MW coal power plant proposed by Elektrownia Polnoc, an affiliate of [[Kulczyk Investments]], for the Pomerania region of Northern Poland. In December 2011, the company entered into a long-term agreement with Lubelski Węgiel Bogdanka SA for coal supply to Elektrownia Północ.<ref>[http://kulczykinvestments.com/project/80 "Energy: Elektrownia Północ Sp. z o.o.,"] Kulczyk Investments website, accessed Oct. 2012.</ref> It is planned for the plant to be operational after 2016 at an estimated cost of EUR 3.1-3.8 billion.<ref>[http://www.banktrack.org/show/dodgydeals/polnoc_coal_power_plant/_blank#tab_dodgydeals_basics "Pólnoc coal power plant,"] Bankwatch, accessed Oct. 2012.</ref>
 
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*[[Rybnik Power Station]] is a 1775 MW plant on the outskirts of Rybnik, Silesia, owned by the Polish power company [[EDF Group]].<ref>[http://poland.edf.com/edf-companies-in-poland/edf-rybnik/presentation-54151.html "EDF Rybnik,"] EDF, accessed Sep. 2012.</ref> EDF is constructing a new 900 MW supercritical coal-fired power plant at the site. The project, slated for 2017, will involve the replacement of the four oldest units at the existing Rybnik plant.<ref>[http://press.edf.com/press-releases/all-press-releases/2011/edf-will-build-in-rybnik-poland-a-highly-efficient-900-mw-supercritical-coal-fired-power-plant-87763.html "EDF will build in Rybnik, Poland, a highly efficient 900 MW supercritical coal-fired power plant,"] EDF, May 12, 2011.</ref>
 
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*[[Turow Power Station 2]] is a proposed 460 MW lignite coal power station by [[Polska Grupa Energetyczna]] scheduled for 2018.<ref>[http://www.pgesa.pl/en/InvestorRelations/Documents/PGE%20Group%20strategy%202012_2035_presentation.pdf "Creating value and safe future PGE Group Strategy 2012-2035,"] PGE, Feb. 2012.</ref>
 
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* [[Tychy Power Station]] is a coal-powered station in Tychy, Poland owned by the [[Tauron Group]]. By 2016, Tauron plans to build another coal-fired heat and power unit at the station with the capacity to generate 50 megawatts of electricity and 86 megawatts of thermal energy.<ref name=bb>[http://www.seekingenergy.com/seeknrg/?p=1536 "Tauron Gets State Funding to Switch Coal-Fired Plant to Biomass,"] Bloomberg, April 12, 2012.</ref>
 
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* [[Zofiowka Power Station]] is a planned 70 MW coal-fired power station in Tarnow, Poland, by Spolka Energetyczna Jastrzebie. It is expected to be completed by 2015.<ref>[http://www.constructionpoland.com/115051/Tender-for-new-power-unit-at-Elektrocieplownia-Zofiowka-pencilled-in-for-near-future.shtml "Tender for new power unit at Elektrocieplownia Zofiowka pencilled in for near future,"] PMR, Dec. 19, 2011.</ref>
 
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* an unnamed power station has been proposed by [[GE]] to have an installed capacity of 900 megawatts at a cost of 787 million euros. The plant would be an [[Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle]] (IGCC) project.
 
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===Involvement of international financial institutions===
 
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The [[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development]] (EBRD) has said that it will not finance any coal project in Poland. However, it does support the Sostanj lignite power plant project in Slovenia, and has approved a loan for the coal-fired [[Bielsko Biala Power Station]] and participates in informal talks with Elektrownia Pólnoc Ltd. about the proposed [[Polnoc Power Station]], which would have a capacity of 2000 MW.<ref name=bw/>
 
  
 
==Coal Mines==
 
==Coal Mines==
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The U.S. Geological Survey lists the operating coal mines, as of 1005, in Poland as being<ref name="USGS3">Walter G. Steblez, [http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/2005/myb3-2005-ez-hu-pl-lo.pdf "The Mineral Industries of Central Europe: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia"], ''2005 Minerals Yearbook'', U.S. Geological Survey, page 18.</ref>:
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It is estimated that around 80% of Polish coal mines are unprofitable with annual losses of €1 billion a year.<ref name=Powermag>[http://www.powermag.com/king-coal-is-alive-and-kicking-in-poland/ "King Coal Is Alive and Kicking in Poland"], Powermag, 03/01/2018</ref> In 2018 the Energy Ministry stated that currently exploited deposits will start to decline by 2030, and therefore that Zloczew and possibly also Oscislowo lignite deposits will be developed.<ref name=Platts1>[https://www.platts.com/latest-news/coal/warsaw/poland-approves-lignite-strategy-26968779 "Poland approves lignite strategy"], Platts, 5 June 2018</ref>:
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* Zaklad Wydobywczo's mine in Lower Silesia which produced 200,000 tonnes capacity of anthracite;
 
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* A number of mines in Upper Silesia which in total produced 140,000 million tonnes of bituminous coal production capacity. These were:
 
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** Bytomska Spolka Weglowa S.A. which had 9 mines;
 
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** Rudzka Spolka Weglowa S.A. which had 6 mines;
 
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** Gliwicka Spolka Weglowa S.A. which had 7 mines;
 
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** Katowicki Holding Weglowy S.A.  which had 11 mines;
 
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** Nadwislanska Spolka Weglowa S.A. which had 8 mines;
 
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** Rybnicka Spolka Weglowa S.A. which had 5 mines;
 
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** Jastrzebska Spolka Weglowa S.A. which had 6 mines;
 
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** Seven independent mines
 
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** Walbrzyskie Kopalnie Wegla
 
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** Kamiennego
 
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** KWK "Nowa Ruda"
 
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** KWK "Bogdanka" S. A.
 
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* A number of mining companies with an annual production capacity of 75 million tonnes of lignite. These include<ref name="USGS4">Walter G. Steblez, [http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/2005/myb3-2005-ez-hu-pl-lo.pdf "The Mineral Industries of Central Europe: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia"], ''2005 Minerals Yearbook'', U.S. Geological Survey, page 19.</ref>:  
 
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** KWK "Belchatow" Belchatow
 
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** KWK "Turow" Turow
 
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** KWK "Konin" Konin
 
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** KWK "Adamow" Adamow
 
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** KWK "Sieniawa" Sieniawa
 
  
 
===Coal mining project approved===
 
===Coal mining project approved===
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===Related SourceWatch articles===
 
===Related SourceWatch articles===
 
====Europe and coal====
 
====Europe and coal====
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*[[Austria and coal]]
 
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*[[Belgium and coal]]
 
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*[[Bulgaria and coal]]
 
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*[[Europe and coal]]
 
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*[[France and coal]]
 
 
*[[Germany and coal]]
 
*[[Germany and coal]]
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*[[Greece and coal]]
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*[[Turkey and coal]]
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*[[Hungary and coal]]
 
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*[[Italy and coal]]
 
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*[[Netherlands and coal]]
 
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*[[Norway and coal]]
 
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*[[Slovakia and coal]]
 
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*[[United Kingdom and coal]]
 
  
 
===External Resources===
 
===External Resources===
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===External Articles===
 
===External Articles===
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* [http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/newsdesk/energy/data/interactive-polands-coal-power-plants "Poland's coal power plants,"] Greenpeace, Nov 2013.
+
Click [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnTt3iwid6uJdEtzU2pqUUtVMkVVczlFa3lfZjQyVlE&usp=sharing#gid=0 here] for a list of coal plants in Poland (compiled by Greenpeace).
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* [https://www.e3g.org/docs/Climate_energy_snaphot_PL_updated.pdf CLIMATE & ENERGY SNAPSHOT: POLAND THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF THE LOW CARBON TRANSITION]
  
 
====Background information====
 
====Background information====
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* International Energy Agency, [http://www.iea.org/Textbase/stats/coaldata.asp?COUNTRY_CODE=PL "Coal in Poland in 2005"], International Energy Agency website, accessed July 2008.
 
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* International Energy Agency, [http://www.iea.org/Textbase/country/m_country.asp?COUNTRY_CODE=PL "Poland"], International Energy Agency website, accessed July 2008.
 
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* International Energy Agency, [http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/Poland2011_web.pdf Energy Policies of IEA Countries - Poland 2011 Review], 2011. (Pdf)
 
 
* Walter G. Steblez, [http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/2005/myb3-2005-ez-hu-pl-lo.pdf "The Mineral Industries of Central Europe: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia"], ''2005 Minerals Yearbook'', U.S. Geological Survey, December 2007.
 
* Walter G. Steblez, [http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/2005/myb3-2005-ez-hu-pl-lo.pdf "The Mineral Industries of Central Europe: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia"], ''2005 Minerals Yearbook'', U.S. Geological Survey, December 2007.
 
* U.S. Geological Survey,  [http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/europe.html#pl Poland] 2000-2005
 
* U.S. Geological Survey,  [http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/europe.html#pl Poland] 2000-2005
 
* European Environment Agency, [http://eper.eea.europa.eu/eper/ European Pollutant Emission Register]. (This has a list of power stations and their current emissions).
 
* European Environment Agency, [http://eper.eea.europa.eu/eper/ European Pollutant Emission Register]. (This has a list of power stations and their current emissions).
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{{Stub}}
 
  
 
[[Category:Climate change]]
 
[[Category:Climate change]]
 
[[Category:Poland]]
 
[[Category:Poland]]
 
[[Category:National and international coal profiles]]
 
[[Category:National and international coal profiles]]

Latest revision as of 18:31, 19 June 2018

{{#badges: CoalSwarm|Navbar-Polandandcoal}} Coal provides half of Poland's primary energy, including 80% of its electricity.[1] The government, using the slogan ‘Poland stands on coal’,[2] claims it is a strategic fuel guaranteeing energy security.[3] However in December 2018 Poland will host the COP24 climate change conference.

Overview

In 2017, of the 170TWh of electricity generated, hard coal accounted for about half and lignite just over 30%.[4]

The governing party is supported by the politically powerful coal industry, and 100,000 Polish jobs are estimated to be related to coal.[5] Miners are highly respected and their trade unions are also politically powerful.[6]

While the Polish coal industry remains a substantial producer, the industry has undergone a dramatic restructuring with production falling by approximately one third between 1988 and 1998.

The future of the domestic coal mining industry is therefore tied to the power generation industry, which itself is in the midst of a major shake-up. The Austrian Energy Council points out that the existing generation capacity is aging which it states "is becoming an increasingly serious problem".

"More than half of the current capacity was built in the 1970s. Approximately 60% of the system is more than 15 years old, and 40% is more than 20 years old. More than 1.5 GWe has been in operation for more than 30 years. This problem has been exacerbated by insufficient expenditure on maintenance and modernization projects. PSE has estimated that by 2005, over 20 GWe of capacity will need rehabilitation while almost 3 GWe will need to be retired. Rehabilitation costs, including environmental protection costs, are estimated between $50 and $350 per kW of capacity. Additionally, there are plans in place to expand the existing transmission and distribution networks. These investments in the electricity industry are estimated to cost around $50 billion over the next 15 years.

Poland, the EU, and climate negotiations

Poland and Germany are the EU’s biggest consumers of coal.

In 2011, Poland drew sharp criticism when it blocked EU plans to raise its goal for reducing carbon emissions. At 20 percent by 2020, Poland already exceeds the bloc's commitment under the Kyoto Protocol.

In 2018 Poland sued to try to avoid new EU pollution rules.[7]

Health costs of coal

A 2013 report by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) found that burning coal to produce electricity costs Europeans €42.8 billion (US $55 billion) in health care costs annually. About €8 billion of that is Poland. The new report is based on a calculation of the costs associated with premature deaths resulting from exposure to coal-related air pollution, medical visits, hospitalizations, medication and reduced activity, including working days lost.[8]

Air Quality

Following a ruling from the European Court of Justice in March 2018, Poland has to immediately take measures to noticeably improve air quality.[9]

Financial costs of coal

Poland is expected to be significantly negatively affected by climate change, and has an adaptation strategy which is being financed via the Infrastructure and Environment Program 2014–2020.[10] Environmental campaigners say that the cost of burning coal will increase due to the increasing EU carbon price.[11]

Coal mining

In 2005 Poland mined approximately 159 million tonnes of coal according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Of this, just over 61 million tonnes was brown coal and lignite and the remainder bituminous coal.[12] In 2004 approximately 58.7% of the country's installed generation capacity was publicly-owned power stations burning hard coal while a further 25.4% operated on lignite.

Poland aims to continue mining lignite after 2040.[13] In 2005, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Finland were (in order of value) the major importers of Polish coal. The upper Silesian, the lower Silesian, and the Lublin Basins have exploitable resources that amounted to 43,32 Mt of coal in 32 deposits. the upper Silesian Basin represented the major portion of the country's total reserves, hosting about 79% of the total in 110 deposits."[14]

The British Geological survey states that over 76 million tonnes of bituminous coal and 56.5 million tonnes of lignite coal were extracted in 2010.[15]

Coal reserves

According to European Association for Coal and Lignite (Euracoal), a coal industry lobbying group, Poland has hard coal reserves totalling 16.9 billion tonnes, mainly located in Upper Silesia and in the Lublin basin. Mineable lignite reserves amount to almost 15 billion tonnes.[16]

Coal imports

Rather than increasing energy security by developing indigenous wind power Poland is attempting to replace some of its coal imports from Russia with more expensive imports from the USA.[11]

Coal plants

10GW of new coal-fired power in Poland is scheduled to become operational before 2028[17] and Poland’s largest utility, PGE, is extremely dependent on coal.[18]

Coal Mines

It is estimated that around 80% of Polish coal mines are unprofitable with annual losses of €1 billion a year.[17] In 2018 the Energy Ministry stated that currently exploited deposits will start to decline by 2030, and therefore that Zloczew and possibly also Oscislowo lignite deposits will be developed.[4]:

Coal mining project approved

In June 2011, New World Resources (NWR), the biggest Czech coking-coal supplier, said its board of directors gave final approval to extract coal from the Debiensko mine in Poland. NWR expects to begin the project by the end of 2011, and extracting coal by 2017. The company's feasibility study indicated the mine had reserves of about 190 million metric tons, for an average annual production of 2 million tons. Total investment in the mine will reach 411 million euros ($584 million).

Seven-eighths of the mine’s reserves are coking coal and one-eighth is the less profitable thermal coal, the feasibility study shows. NWR has a 50-year mining license, granted in 2008, to extract coal from Debiensko. The company also applied for a license to mine additional coal seams at the site and expects to receive approval for that project by mid-2012, it said.[19]

Coal mine construction stopped

On March 12, 2009, Greenpeace International announced that the construction of a new coal mine in Tomislawice had been halted. Following from a Greenpeace legal challenge in December 2008, a Polish court found possible illegalities in the project's environmental assessment process. Construction has been suspended pending an investigation. The new mine would result in about 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere.[20]

EU coal phase out

Like all EU members, the country has a legally-binding clean energy target. Silesia is a "Coal Region in Transition"[21] but the national government list of proposed beneficiaries of EU funding has been criticized for only containing state-owned fossil fuel companies.[22]

Articles and Resources

Sources

  1. ↑ "Poland - Energy System Overview", IEA, accessed June 2018
  2. ↑ Magdalena Kuchler & Gavin Bridge,"Down the black hole: Sustaining national socio-technical imaginaries of coal in Poland" Energy Research & Social Science Volume 41, July 2018, Pages 136-147
  3. ↑ "Climate and energy policies in Poland" European Parliament briefing, Sept. 2017
  4. ↑ Jump up to: 4.0 4.1 "Poland approves lignite strategy", Platts, 5 June 2018
  5. ↑ "Dark clouds in Poland" New Internationalist, 14 June 2018
  6. ↑ "Explaining Poland's Coal Paradox" Forbes, 28 March 2018
  7. ↑ "ClientEarth moves to defend new EU rules from 'inexcusable' coal industry attack" ClientEarth, Feb 28, 2018.
  8. ↑ Alex Kirby, "Coal burning exacts a lethal price - report," Climate News Network, 29 March 7, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Polish coal, Polish smog, Polish chaos" Energy Transition, 29 March 2018
  10. ↑ Dorota Michalak,"A Comparative Analysis of Initiatives and Adaptation Measures To Climate Change Undertaken in Poland and Eastern EU Countries" sciendo Volume 20: Issue 3, Sept 2017
  11. ↑ Jump up to: 11.0 11.1 "Poland turns to fossil fuel soulmate Trump as coal output flags" Reuters, 15 Nov 2018
  12. ↑ Walter G. Steblez, "The Mineral Industries of Central Europe: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia", 2005 Minerals Yearbook, U.S. Geological Survey, page 17.
  13. ↑ "Poland approves lignite strategy", Platts, 5 June 2018
  14. ↑ Walter G. Steblez, "The Mineral Industries of Central Europe: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia", 2005 Minerals Yearbook, U.S. Geological Survey, page 7.
  15. ↑ "European Mineral Statistics: 2006-2010," British Geological Survey, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Poland," Eurocoal, accessed Nov. 2012.
  17. ↑ Jump up to: 17.0 17.1 "King Coal Is Alive and Kicking in Poland", Powermag, 03/01/2018
  18. ↑ "IEEFA Europe: As risks mount, Poland’s PGE struggles to break from its fossil fuel past" IEEFA, 14 June 2018
  19. ↑ Ladka Bauerova, "New World Resources Board Gives Final Approval to Debiensko Mine" Bloomberg, Jun 20, 2011.
  20. ↑ "VICTORY! Polish coal mine construction halted," Greenpeace International, March 12, 2009.
  21. ↑ "Coal Regions in Transition Platform", European Commission, 4 June 2018
  22. ↑ "The European Commission’s platform for coal regions in transition: case studies highlight tilt toward coal companies", Bankwatch, June 2018

Related SourceWatch articles

Europe and coal

External Resources

External Articles

Click here for a list of coal plants in Poland (compiled by Greenpeace).

Background information

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