Poland and Global Energy Markets Face Rising Demand and Price Pressures

World electricity consumption is set to climb to 30.7 k TWh in 2026 despite record‑high power prices, driven by expanding data‑center capacity and rapid growth of electric vehicles, especially in China and India. The surge deepens the strain on emerging economies that rely on imported liquefied natural gas, prompting measures such as reduced factory hours in Bangladesh and curbed fuel use in Pakistan.

In Poland, the rollout of home battery storage faces new bureaucracy: installations over 30 kWh now require a building‑supervision permit and a 1,500 zł fee, a step critics say could deter household adoption. Meanwhile, virtual power plants (VPP) that aggregate photovoltaic systems with storage are promoted as a way to monetize excess energy, though profitability remains modest.

Major oil companies, including Equinor, Shell and BP, have scrapped ambitious renewable‑energy targets and are refocusing on oil and gas as project costs rise and investor returns lag. Simultaneously, Houthi rebels backed by Iran have launched missile and drone attacks on Red Sea tankers, threatening the Bab al‑Mandab strait and potentially adding $5‑10 per barrel to crude prices.

In Europe, diesel prices are projected to breach 8 zł per litre as the Middle‑East conflict fuels market instability, while gasoline remains comparatively stable.