Poland finds itself at a critical juncture in its energy transition journey, showcasing notable advancements in renewable technologies while grappling with regulatory hurdles that hinder its full potential. By 2025, the country must overcome challenges to consolidate its climate goals, enhance energy infrastructure, and resolve administrative bottlenecks that have delayed key projects.

Michał Sobczyk, Senior Technology Development Manager at European Energy and Vice President of the Polish Renewable Energy Association (Stowarzyszenie Energii Odnawialnej) reflects on the sector’s progress and challenges: “The implementation of technologies like offshore wind and biomethane represents a historic opportunity for Poland, but regulatory delays and infrastructure limitations remain major obstacles that need to be addressed.”

Innovation and Regulatory Barriers

In recent years, solar photovoltaic (PV) and offshore wind have become cornerstones of renewable energy development in Poland. However, Sobczyk highlights that the lack of clarity in implementing directives like RED II and uncertainty surrounding RED III have hampered the sector’s progress.

One of the most prominent examples of potential lies in the Baltic Sea, where offshore wind projects could transform Poland’s energy landscape. Auctions in this region are key to unlocking this capacity, especially when combined with Power-to-X technologies such as green hydrogen and e-methanol. These technologies could create export opportunities while driving industrial decarbonisation.

“To ensure the success of these projects, it is vital to streamline permitting processes and improve the regulatory framework,” Sobczyk stresses. This approach would not only attract more investments but also ensure Poland aligns with the European Union’s Fit for 55 targets.

Biomethane and Sector Coupling

Biomethane is another pillar of Poland’s energy development, offering significant potential, particularly if subsidies for large-scale plants are implemented. Sobczyk forecasts that by 2025, Poland could accelerate biomethane projects thanks to government incentives.

Additionally, the concept of sector coupling is gaining traction in Poland, integrating renewable energies into industrial applications to produce green fuels like hydrogen and e-methanol. According to Sobczyk, this integration is crucial for maximising the impact of renewables and fostering collaboration across sectors such as energy, transport, and industry.

“Sector synergies will optimise the use of renewable energy and enhance the country’s energy resilience,” he explains.

Critical Challenges: Infrastructure and Energy Storage

Despite progress, limitations in grid infrastructure and energy storage remain significant barriers to Poland’s energy transition. The grid’s limited capacity and the lack of large-scale incentives for storage systems are pressing issues that need to be addressed urgently.

Sobczyk notes that while technologies like lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are gaining traction, their widespread adoption depends on improvements in grid capacity and the introduction of targeted policies.

“Energy storage is critical to integrating intermittent sources like wind and solar. Without a robust grid and backup systems, renewable growth will not be sustainable,” warns Sobczyk.

Towards 2025: A Vision for the Future

For 2025 to become a landmark year in Poland’s energy transition, Sobczyk underscores the need for several key actions. Firstly, permitting processes for renewable projects must be streamlined to eliminate administrative bottlenecks that currently slow down new initiatives. This shift would accelerate the deployment of key technologies and build greater investor confidence.

Another critical aspect is improving grid infrastructure to accommodate a significant increase in renewable energy capacity and integrate large-scale energy storage systems. A stronger grid, Sobczyk emphasises, will be pivotal to the energy transition, enabling greater system stability and flexibility.

Additionally, establishing a clear strategy for green hydrogen, including incentives for pilot projects and a competitive regulatory framework, should be a top priority. This would lay the foundation for Poland to position itself as a leader in the production and utilisation of this clean fuel, considered essential for decarbonising industrial and transport sectors.

Sobczyk also highlights the importance of fostering intersectoral collaboration, encouraging strategic partnerships among the energy, transport, and industrial sectors. These synergies would maximise the impact of renewable energy, optimising its integration across diverse applications and driving progress towards climate goals.

Finally, the expert stresses the need to balance national and local interests to secure community acceptance of renewable projects, particularly in the case of onshore wind energy. “Relaxing the 10H rule is a step in the right direction to revitalise onshore wind, but local acceptance remains a key challenge,” Sobczyk concludes.

What Lies Ahead for Poland?

Poland stands at a crossroads in its journey towards a more sustainable energy system. With the right focus on regulation, infrastructure, and technological innovation, the country has the opportunity to become a regional leader in renewable energy.

Sobczyk emphasises, “Poland’s success will depend on its ability to align national policies with European climate goals and, most importantly, its commitment to an inclusive and efficient energy transition.”

With 2025 as the target, Poland’s renewable energy sector is brimming with challenges—but also immense opportunities.