Poland will stop relying on coal resources by 2060 at the latest, country’s deputy prime minister said on Monday.
“We believe that Poland’s dependence on coal energy will come to an end in 2050 or even 2060. Today, the capacity market makes it possible for us to ensure the financing of coal energy until 2040,” Jacek Sasin said during an interview with Polish daily Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.
Sasin said that the non-coal sector would also have to make huge investments in alternatives to coal.
According to a recent report released by London-based climate think tank EMBER, Poland currently generates more coal-fired energy than Germany and as much as the remaining European countries combined. Although most other countries are preparing to phase out coal, like Germany, Poland still has no plan.
The European Commission has described the country as one of the most affected by the energy transition of the bloc and is the only member state that has yet to commit to carbon neutrality by 2050.
Sasin also noted that a restructuring program was planned for the Polish Mining Group and the State Assets Ministry, but implementation was thwarted by fierce opposition from local trade unions.
Sasin said that the government is open to discussions as 'talks about reforms in the entire industry' scheduled for the near future.
By Sibel Morrow
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr