Poland attracts global attention as the largest economy in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). With a strong middle-class, Poland had sixth highest GDP per capita in the CEE (USD 22,057 in 2023). Poland’s power generation in 2024 was 154.5 terawatt-hours (TWh), with a demand of 163 TWh.
Distributed energy market in Poland
Key opportunities for Canadian distributed energy companies in Poland
- Modernization and extension of distribution power grids, helping distribution system operators (DSOs) connect more renewable energy producers to the grid
- Smart grids for small businesses that produce their own energy from solar and onshore wind
- Designing microgrids for DSOs
- IT solutions to monitor energy use by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual consumers
The first survey on the potential for industrial microgrids in Poland began in March 2025.
Notable challenges for Canadian distributed energy companies in Poland
- The number of applications by renewable energy producers to connect to the grid is skyrocketing, but most applications are rejected due to limited grid capacity
- The amount of rejected renewable energy applications to connect the grid was:
- more than 80 gigawatts (GW) in 2023
- 57 GW in 2022
- The lack of grid connections limits (power purchase agreement) PPA opportunities.
- Legal frameworks for microgrids are not comprehensive.
Industry highlights
Polish power generation mix (2024):
- 57% coal
- 30% renewables (mostly solar and onshore)
- 12% natural gas
Capex for projects from 2024 to 2034:
- ENEA – CAD 40B
- PSE (Polish Power Grid) - CAD 24B
- PGE – CAD 45B
- Tauron – CAD 37B
273 000 smart meters to be installed by ENEA in 2025, and 2.4 million by 2030.
35% of consumers in Poland will have smart meters by end of 2025, and 65% by end of 2027.
88% more electricity will be used by manufacturing plants in 2025 compared to previous years. Poland had one of the highest wholesale energy prices in Europe (91 euro/MWh in 2nd quarter 2024).
Six — Poland’s score on the 2024 EY Europe’s FDI Attractiveness Survey
23 — Poland’s score on the 2024 Kearney World FDI Confidence Index
Poland’s business landscape
Poland is a frontier state, bordering:
- Russia
- Belarus
- Ukraine
Skilled workers from Belarus and Ukraine are a key part of the Polish labor market. Poland’s main logistics hubs include key seaports, with major infrastructure plans underway in:
- Gdańsk
- Gdynia
- Szczecin
These hubs are involved in plans to build a new terminal for importing green ammonia, as well as a new airport and high-speed rail hub.
Poland's corruption perception Index dropped from 42 in 2021 to 53 in 2024.
Summary
Poland is an attractive market for Canadian distributed energy companies, offering opportunities in:
- smart grids
- grids expansion
- monitoring and a stable legal framework
The Polish market is ideal for companies planning to establish themselves in Central and Eastern Europe and participate in programs to rebuild Ukraine.
For more information on Distributed Energy in Poland, please contact Arkadiusz Wysocki, Trade Commissioner (arkadiusz.wysocki@international.gc.ca)