There's a plan to stabilize energy prices. Miłosz Motyka reveals the government's plans.

• The capacity market remains a key mechanism guaranteeing the stability of supply, although in a new formula – supporting decarbonization.
• The government's priorities are nuclear, offshore and network development – ​​investments worth tens of billions of zlotys will boost the economy and create jobs.
• Energy bills are to be made more predictable thanks to the exchange obligation, dynamic contracts and protection of heat consumers.
• This interview with Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka is part of the report "Energy Transformation in Practice: Investments, Infrastructure, Sector Leaders," which is scheduled to premiere at the Energy Days conference , which will take place in Katowice on October 1-2, 2025. Register now for one of the most important energy events.

Poland faces the need for an energy transformation and a definitive shift away from coal. Given our current energy mix and the projected pace of transition away from fossil fuels, will this megaproject, the largest in history, be possible to implement without the risk of blackouts and loss of energy security?

One solution to this problem is supplementary capacity market auctions, in which – exceptionally and for a limited time – high-emission units, including coal-fired units, can also participate. This solution was approved by the European Commission on August 11, 2025.

Previous analyses have shown that the capacity market remains necessary, so work is underway on a new formula better suited to the challenges of the energy transition. This would support the decarbonization process and the development of new, flexible generating units. This also requires further discussions with the European Commission, as the capacity market is a public aid mechanism.

The continuation of the capacity market guarantees the stability and reliability of electricity supplies to households and businesses, which is a condition for sustainable economic growth.

Natural gas as a transition fuel until nuclear power is launched in Poland

Until the first nuclear units are operational, coal-fired power plants – alongside gas-fired plants – will act as stabilizers. At the same time, it's important to remember that coal is characterized by a high degree of availability – coal-fired power plants can supply energy during peak demand, which is invaluable in the current system, which continues to develop renewable energy sources and energy storage.

Therefore, reducing its role must proceed in parallel with the construction of new zero-emission sources and the development of energy storage technologies. Coal's importance will gradually decline, replaced by low- and zero-emission sources. In this process, natural gas will act as a transition fuel – it has lower emissions than coal while enabling flexible operation of power units.

Until nuclear power becomes available, are we stuck with gas? Or is it just a transitional fuel?

The question of the future of natural gas in the Polish economy is more complex than ever. On the one hand, the investment plans of Polish companies have been significantly limited by the energy crisis of recent years.

On the other hand, its role in the energy sector will grow in the near future due to the need to ensure stable operation of the power system, in particular in the context of the growing share of renewable energy sources in the national energy mix.

Households also perceive natural gas as a transition fuel . Although the rate of connection to the gas network has declined, it remains high – nearly 120,000 customers were connected to the gas network in 2024.

In a situation where companies do not have the technical ability to replace the energy carriers they consume with zero-emission sources, or where existing technological solutions are not mature enough or too expensive to replace the currently used emission-intensive raw materials, natural gas is a step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions for many companies.

Certainly, as alternative energy sources become more available or new, zero-emission technologies mature, the attractiveness of natural gas as a transition fuel will decrease.

Therefore, due to the economic calculations carried out by companies, natural gas is now more of a support than a threat to them.

Nuclear energy and offshore wind farms are the foundation of the energy system in Poland

So, which of the ongoing transformational megaprojects are your absolute priority right now? Nuclear, offshore, and grid investments?

Over the next decade, Poland will reshape its energy system to be zero-emission, diversified, and secure. Nuclear power plants and renewable energy sources, particularly offshore wind farms, will be the foundation of the system.

Both sectors—nuclear and offshore—will create new jobs, supply chains, and specializations for Polish companies, and will also contribute to the development of technical education. We are taking steps to ensure significant participation of domestic industry in these investments, including in the area of ​​new technologies, such as SMRs and high-power turbines. This will equip Polish companies to compete in the global market.

Strategic investments in transmission infrastructure are also underway . The Gdańsk-Gustorzyn gas pipeline, along with the FSRU terminal in the Bay of Gdańsk, will diversify gas supplies to Poland and the region. Meanwhile, the Polish Power Grid (PSE) is expanding its 400 kV line network and modernizing substations to transmit energy from nuclear power plants and offshore wind farms to customers nationwide. These projects have received significant financial support from the KPO (National Power Plant)—both grants and loans—and will strengthen Poland's energy security.

You've mentioned the significant participation of Polish industry in transformational investments. Do Polish companies have a realistic chance of becoming key suppliers for these projects, or will they be dominated by global players?

"Of course. In the field of nuclear energy, for example, we are taking a number of steps to maximize the participation of Polish companies in nuclear projects. A dedicated team operates at the Ministry of Energy, to which we have invited investors, involved government agencies (Industrial Development Agency, Pomeranian Development Agency, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego), and industry organizations.

It is precisely to develop optimal solutions for the participation of Polish companies that we are working together on support programs.

Our goal is not just to build nuclear power plants, but to create an entire nuclear industry that will then be able to ensure their proper servicing and participate in projects in other countries.

Record investments in transmission and distribution networks – billions of zlotys for modernization, intelligent solutions and energy storage

Poles, however, are looking for cheaper energy and are installing more and more photovoltaics and heat pumps – are the system and the law keeping up with this boom?

The dynamic development of renewable energy sources poses new challenges for the power grid. Therefore, we plan to invest a whopping PLN 100 billion in grid modernization and expansion by 2030. By 2035, we will add another PLN 80 billion – mostly earmarked for distribution networks. This includes the construction of lines, the modernization of stations, and the development of energy storage facilities.

At the same time, a mass replacement of meters with smart meters (SMMs) is underway, enabling remote and precise energy measurement and two-way network communication. By 2028, 80% of customers will have such meters, and by 2031, all. They have already been installed at approximately 40% of users.

The Central Information System for the Energy Market (CSIRE) is being implemented. This digital platform will automate the exchange of data on energy production and consumption. This will enable the creation of more tailored offers for customers, including prosumers with PV installations or heat pumps.

Stabilization of energy and heat prices – exchange obligation, dynamic tariffs and protective mechanisms for households and companies

Staying with energy prices, what changes in the energy market could make bills more predictable and fair?

- Electricity prices in Poland are one of the key social issues, which is why the government is taking both short-term and long-term measures to make bills more predictable and fair.

One of the priorities is the introduction of the so-called exchange obligation – an obligation to sell 55% of electricity and 85% of natural gas on the exchange or through market operator platforms. This increases liquidity and competition in the wholesale market, allows consumers and businesses to better secure supplies, and reduces the risk of rapid price fluctuations. The Ministry of Energy is preparing a draft law specifying these obligations and the penalties for violating them.

Another element is the development of dynamic pricing contracts , which allow end users to pay less if they adjust their energy consumption to hours when market prices are lower. Active users are also supported by the ability to participate in the aggregation process—combining the potential of multiple users to provide system services. Households with energy storage facilities particularly benefit from this, as they can further reduce their bills.

At the distribution level, a so-called regulatory account for the quality fee has been introduced, which limits the transfer of excessive costs to customers and stabilizes network tariffs. As a result, transmission fees in 2025 may be lower and bills more predictable.

In the short term, a protective mechanism was maintained in the form of a maximum price of PLN 500/MWh for households in the fourth quarter of 2025, which prevents an increase in bills compared to the previous quarter.

At the same time, work is underway on long-term price stabilization through a transformation of the energy mix. Currently, Poland relies heavily on fossil fuels, which generates high costs related to CO2 emissions. Therefore, the development of renewable energy sources, the development of nuclear power, and maintaining natural gas as a transition fuel are key. At the same time, electricity grids are being strengthened and expanded to accommodate new generation capacity, especially from renewable energy sources.

Another important area affecting bills is district heating, which serves approximately 15 million Poles. Therefore, the government is implementing both systemic measures and support for the poorest households. The district heating voucher (PLN 1,000–3,500) is a solution for approximately 400,000 low-income households using district heating.

At the same time, the heating sector will receive approximately PLN 20 billion from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management by 2027, and from 2026, companies will benefit from an additional 30% of free CO2 emission allowances under the EU ETS. Measures also include reducing heating costs by utilizing surplus cheap electricity, developing heat storage facilities, modernizing networks, increasing the use of waste heat, and simplifying regulations that reduce costs for heating companies.

Thanks to these solutions – from protecting energy and heat consumers, through regulations that increase market competitiveness, to investments in energy transformation – bills in Poland are expected to become more predictable, fair and less susceptible to market fluctuations.

Financing the energy transformation – billions of zlotys from the KPO, the Modernization Fund and preferential loans for the grid and renewable energy sources

According to various estimates, the energy transformation in Poland could cost as much as PLN 1.6 trillion by 2040. Where will the money for this gigantic undertaking come from – the state budget, EU funds, or private investors?

The energy transition, especially the modernization and expansion of power grids, is already being supported by very specific and record-breaking funds – both from the EU and national level. The National Reconstruction Plan alone provides over PLN 6.7 billion in non-repayable subsidies for the development of transmission and distribution networks – particularly to enable the connection of renewable energy sources, including in rural areas.

In addition, there is over PLN 71 billion in preferential loans under the Energy Support Fund . Over PLN 50 billion of this amount has already been contracted.

Further funding comes from cohesion policy, including the FEnIKS program, which allocates over PLN 3.1 billion for the development of smart transmission and distribution networks, and from European Funds for Eastern Poland, which allocates nearly PLN 880 million for smart grids. Another important program is the Modernization Fund, which allocates PLN 5 billion for network infrastructure, including smart grids.

In total, this amounts to approximately PLN 17 billion in grants and over PLN 50 billion in loans for network projects.

Now that the plan is in place and the funds are available, I must ask: who will lead the transformation of the Polish economy? Do we have enough engineers, grid specialists, and renewable energy experts?

"The energy transition in Poland will require the involvement of a wide range of specialists, and nuclear energy is of particular importance. This is a new sector in our country, so staff with a wide range of specialties are needed – from engineers and technologists to highly skilled workers, such as welders with appropriate certifications. To coordinate the preparation of these staff, a Nuclear Competence Center will be established , which will begin operations next year and will be responsible for training and supporting specialists for the nuclear program."

The second key area is the transformation of coal regions. In collaboration with universities and the World Bank, the Ministry of Energy prepared the "White Paper on the Sustainable Transformation of Coal Regions in Poland 2025–2049." The document outlines the directions for social and economic transformation, emphasizing miners' retraining, social protection, and the creation of new jobs in sectors related to green technologies, renewable energy sources, and creative industries. The Social Agreement on Mining, currently being implemented, provides educational programs and specialized courses that will already allow former miners to take up employment in industries such as wind turbine servicing or offshore project preparation.

The transformation is therefore to be not only a process of phasing out mines, but also an impulse for reindustrialization and building new competitive advantages of the regions.

Heating is also a crucial element. Modernizing the sector requires the involvement of installation design engineers, network specialists, and experts in renewable energy, automation, and heat storage. Competencies in project management, finance, and energy law are also crucial. Currently, there is a shortage of technical staff, especially in smaller heating systems, which is why investing in education and improving employee skills is essential.

So, to answer the question – yes, Poland has a solid human resources base, but at the same time, we face a huge challenge in preparing and training new specialists. Training programs, collaboration with universities, establishing specialized institutions, and support for retraining processes are crucial to ensuring an adequate number of experts in nuclear energy, grids, heating, and renewable energy.

Importantly, the transformation of coalfields and the re-invention of miners creates a real opportunity for new professionals to join other energy sectors – from renewable energy, through grid energy, to modern energy storage and management technologies. This process aims to ensure a qualified workforce for the entire energy transformation.