The Polish industry must embark on a rapid decarbonisation path to avoid the high costs associated with dependence on fossil fuels – mainly coal and gas – and to remain competitive. According to the Clean Industrial Deal, reducing energy costs is crucial to maintaining the European Union's position in the global market. Decarbonisation will also enhance the EU economy's resilience to economic, military, and political risks.

One of the most promising pathways for industrial transformation is the electrification of process heat using renewable energy sources (RES). In a new study by the Reform Institute, we highlight this as a particularly effective solution for processes that rely on low- and medium-temperature heat (up to 200°C).

Technologies such as heat pumps, electric boilers, and electrode boilers are efficient, scalable, and already commercially available. When combined with energy storage or integrated into hybrid heating systems, they can also play a vital role in stabilising and increasing the flexibility of the power grid.

However, for industrial electrification to become economically viable and gain momentum, a rapid expansion of renewable energy installations is essential. This calls for decisive action from Polish policymakers – a comprehensive overview of the necessary steps can be found in our study, “Energizing industry. The Road to a Competitive and Carbon-Neutral Industry”, available in Polish here.