Electricity from coal. What about wind energy?
In January, electricity in Poland came mainly from coal, which was responsible for as much as 68%. production (48.56% – stone, 18.88% – brown). This is a puzzling indicator considering the ongoing energy transformationbut as the expert explains, it was related to a weather anomaly.
Wind, whose full capacity (installed) could supply as much as one third of the total demand, was responsible for only 15%. energy needed. As representatives of the Energy Forum emphasize in the report, Renewable energy sources produced 27.8% less than in January last year. This is the result of many almost windless and dark days.
– We observed an anomaly, but it is not disturbing. This winter is exceptionally windless, which means that the share of renewable energy sources (from windmills – ed.) is lower. Even though wind power has increased by 50% in four years, the generation (in January – ed.) was lower than a year, two or three ago – says Jędrzej Wójcik, Head of the Power Engineering Program at Forum Energii, in an interview with “Forsal”.
As he notes, most of the installed renewable energy capacity in Poland is photovoltaics. In winter, on short and gray days, energy production from this source is low, which is why it is so important to increase the number of wind farms, which work well in traditionally windy months, such as January.
– When it comes to security sources operating at night or when there is no wind, the situation is secured here. We have enough coal-fired power, and new gas-fired power is also emerging dynamically. We are contracted for the next few years. All attention should be paid to using reserve sources – which are security – only in exceptional situations – he adds.
How much electricity did we produce in January?
Several were reported in January records related to electricity production. Throughout the month, power plants delivered 17,127 GWh of energy, an increase of 4.2%. compared to January last year.
This too the highest result in twenty yearswhen just over 17,500 GWh was recorded. At that time, however, the share of renewable energy was marginal. According to PSE data, 90 percent coal-fired power plants, which now generate 68%, were responsible. energy. This clearly shows the changes taking place in the energy sector.
Record demand for electricity. Without the specter of blackout
On a frosty day – January 14, 2026 – it was recorded the highest temporary production in Poland’s history. At The 11th generation amounted to 30.5 GW gross (28.9 GW net). The 30th century “broke” for the first time, which showed that the Polish energy system can cope even in the event of weather anomalies, when the temperature drops below -20 degrees, and, consequently, the demand for electricity increases.
For record results, just like in the whole month, conventional coal-fired power plants were primarily responsible. They covered 59.9 percent. demand. In second place were renewable energy sources (wind, photovoltaics, water), adding 21.2%. Gas power plants accounted for 13.9%.
– A few days ago we recorded a record demand for power – 29.2 GW gross. Today, for the first time in history, domestic generation exceeded 30 GW of power. Importantly, with exports of nearly 2.5 GW. This is proof of how our energy system works stably and keeps up with growing needs – with a solid reserve – commented Miłosz Motyka, Minister of Energy on social media.
Record production exceeded demandwhich amounted to 26.6 GW net. As much as 2.3 GW of power was exported, mainly to Ukraine. The January record was broken already at the beginning of February, when gross generation exceeded 31.3 GW against demand of 29.3 GW.
– The winter showed that we had sufficient levels of reserves. Several records were broken in January and February. The levels of conventional and renewable energy sources in the middle of the day allowed us to get through the winter without any major problems. It couldn’t be worse in terms of wind, which means that the situation will be better in the coming years. Let us remember that this year the first Polish offshore wind farm, Baltic Power, will be launched – explains Jędrzej Wójcik, Head of the Electric Power Engineering Program at Forum Energii.
