Poland unveils 2040 heating sector decarbonisation strategy

Poland's Ministry of Energy has released a long‑term Strategy for the Transformation of the Heating Sector to 2040. The plan seeks to decarbonise heat supplied to around 15 million users by boosting renewable sources – aiming for 52.2 % of system heat from renewables such as biogas, biomethane and geothermal – and by expanding Power‑to‑Heat capacity to 5.5 GW and heat‑storage capacity to 576 GWh. It also targets the use of 10 PJ of waste heat and a reduction of system‑heat production by 60 PJ. Funding needs are estimated at 197‑231 billion zł, with a legislative package under parliamentary consideration that awaits the president’s signature. The strategy emphasises centralised planning of renovations and new investments to avoid supply disruptions and price shocks, and it includes proposals for small modular reactors in cooperation with Canadian partners. The sector comprises roughly 400 companies, a 23 000‑km pipeline network and 398 licensed operators, of which only 22 % currently meet efficiency criteria.