ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the context of Poland's segue into a more sustainable energy policy model and maps the milestones of that process. It focuses on contingencies besetting the process and offers some cues into Poland’s current stance toward, e.g. the European Green Deal. The chapter discusses Poland’s energy usage by type and the evolution of Poland’s energy mix. It explores the development of the European Union energy policy framework. The strategic importance of the region was recognized also by communist authorities in post-war Poland. At that time Upper Silesia served as the key provider of energy resources for the rest of the country; nearly no consideration was given to the externalities this produced. The process of diversification of Poland’s energy-mix has several dimensions, including the environment dimension, the security dimension, and the socio-political dimension. New investments are required in order to increase the share of renewable energy sources, and thus increase energy efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions.
