Poland must first build stable alternative energy sources, such as nuclear power plants, before decommissioning existing coal-fired capacity. Otherwise, the country risks falling into serious trouble, warns Janusz Olszowski, president of the Mining Industry and Trade Chamber (GIPH).
– There is no question of a reliable and secure energy system without a carrier that will stabilise it, such as coal and gas. We do not have gas and are forced to import it. Hence we should rely on coal – said Janusz Olszowski.
Olszowski criticises the EU’s promotion of gas as the only transitional fuel on the path to a zero‑emission economy. – We do not have sufficient reserves of this raw material within the European Union, and its supplies are not only expensive but also subject to high risk – he added.
Nuclear first, then coal phase‑out
The GIPH president pointed to the recent blackout on the Iberian Peninsula in February 2025, when renewable energy sources failed and millions were left without power. – The huge blackout was swept under the carpet, yet the losses caused by it can be estimated at billions of euros. It also posed a threat to public safety in several countries – he said.
– First you need to build alternative, stable energy sources, for example nuclear power plants, and only then dismantle existing coal capacity, even though some of it is already outdated. Not the other way around. That should be the sequence, so as not to fall into serious trouble – emphasised Olszowski.
Geopolitical risks and the value of domestic resources
Olszowski also warned against over‑reliance on imported energy carriers. – Recent geopolitical turbulences show that access to one’s own raw materials is a huge advantage. Some people seem not to notice that – he noted. He recalled that a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz caused major turmoil on fuel markets, and similar disruptions could affect coal or LNG shipments.
According to Olszowski, even if domestic coal extraction costs are higher, having access to it during a crisis can prove vital. – Therefore, I believe that promoting only gas as a transition fuel to achieve a zero‑emission economy is a mistaken approach.
The GIPH president also highlighted the upcoming Future Mining Forum & Expo, scheduled for 9‑11 September 2026 in Katowice. He stressed that Polish mining equipment manufacturers and service providers possess world‑class know‑how and can offer solutions for mining 4.0 or even 5.0. – We have made a huge technological leap in recent years. We need to show this to the world at the Forum – he said.
Źródło: wnp.pl, Fot. PTWP
