Transition towards sustainability: a case study of the Polish energy sector

Bartosz Sobik

Chapter 10 in The Twin Digital and Green Transition, 2026, pp 185-196 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Energy transition, associated with a paradigm shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy, is a source of challenges, opportunities and threats for the industry, as well as businesses, consumers and policymakers. Historical circumstances and path dependency, as well as geographical, geopolitical, macroeconomic and political conditions, undeniably influence the pace of the transition. Energy transition is a particular challenge for Poland, whose electricity mix is overwhelmingly dominated by coal. This chapter examines energy transition in Poland to identify key challenges related to its implementation. To this end, the consequences of the energy and geopolitical crises in Europe in 2022/2023 are explored, as are other issues, including capacity risks and threats, as well as the challenges of decarbonising a system based predominantly on coal-fired power plants. The research approach designed for this study is multi-dimensional, combining a case study of the Polish energy sector, data analysis, qualitative research and literature review. The energy and geopolitical crisis that swept Europe from 2022–2023 has exposed the functional inadequacies of energy markets as they currently exist – and of European energy policy. Maintaining energy security during the energy transition and the shutdown of obsolete coal-fired units will require the timing of these shutdowns to be correlated with the commissioning of new generation assets. Businesses today are faced with the need to adapt to the ongoing energy transition.

Keywords: Energy transition; Sustainable Development Goals; Energy security; Energy crisis; Energy policy; Decarbonisation; Stranded assets (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035364275
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