Publication details
Navigating Russia's war and energy transition : Poland's coal challenge
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2024 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Energy Research & Social Science |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| web | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629624001397 |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2024.103548 |
| Keywords | Poland; Coal; Decarbonization; Visions; War; Crisis |
| Attached files | |
| Description | The Russian invasion of Ukraine initially raised the prospect of a coal resurgence in Poland and the European Union, as coal was expected to be the secure, domestic, and dependable energy source amidst the crisis. However, empirical research has revealed a starkly different reality. Coal, instead of becoming a stabilizing force, exacerbated instability in the Polish energy sector, laying bare the country's heavy dependence on Russian coal and imports. The already-strained expectations around coal utility and performance have further eroded, with few champions left to advocate for its revival. Governments are actively promoting alternative energy sources like nuclear, natural gas, and renewables, while even coal unions have shifted focus from coal's resurgence to safeguarding social benefits. Positive visions for non-coal technologies and fuels are gaining traction, while coal's once-potent appeal has faded. This study finds that, indeed, the war-induced crisis did not reverse the decline of the vision of coal as the cornerstone of the Polish energy system; instead, it accelerated its demise. While alternative visions gain strength, a coherent and positive vision for Poland's non-coal energy future remains elusive. The implications extend to the EU, where shared decarbonization goals seem more secure, as for the time being, Poland is unlikely to spearhead a campaign to rescue coal. Thus, the war has not revitalized coal but rather reinforced alternative energy pathways, ultimately solidifying the direction of Poland's energy transition. |
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