On 1 December 2023, the Institute for Reforms held a round-table discussion on the development of electricity grids in Poland. The discussion covered both the European action plan for grid expansion, published at the end of November, and Poland’s priorities in this area.

Green electrification – that is, increasing the share of electricity in final energy consumption whilst rapidly developing renewable energy sources – is key to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. However, it will not be possible to realise the full potential of renewable energy sources without the dynamic development of electricity grids and their effective management.

Grid modernisation, however, presents a number of dilemmas, ranging from detailed decisions on the allocation of development costs to more fundamental questions about the vision for the development of the National Power System and its alignment with the future energy mix, as well as the operational model for grid operators.

The end of November brought fresh impetus from Brussels in the context of green electrification: On 28 November, the European Commission published its Action Plan for Electricity Networks, and a week earlier it issued a positive opinion on the updated text of Poland’s National Recovery Plan (KPO), which includes new investments and a reform plan in the area of energy infrastructure to be implemented over the next two years.

These issues were discussed during the Institute for Reforms’ Round Table – an online meeting held on 1 December 2023.

Izabela Zygmunt from the European Commission Representation in Poland spoke about the key elements of the European plan. Aleksander Śniegocki, President of the Institute for Reforms, outlined national challenges and possible directions for development. Monika Gawlik, Director of the Department of Electricity and Heat Markets, presented the perspective of the Energy Regulatory Office.

The discussion with all meeting participants was preceded by comments from stakeholders and experts:

– Aleksandra Gawlikowska-Fyk from Forum Energii,

– Marta Anczewska from CAN Europe,

– Maciej Mazur from the Polish Alternative Fuels Association,

– Michał Sobczyk from the Renewable Energy Association.

We would like to thank all participants for attending and invite you to read the summary, which covers the main themes of the discussion and the key conclusions.