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Energy costs surge in Poland as gas and pellet prices rise
European and Polish energy markets are facing significant upward pressure on costs across multiple sectors. Natural gas prices have surged, with the Dutch TTF benchmark exceeding 72 EUR/MWh, driven by geopolitical instability in the Persian Gulf and concerns over LNG supplies. This rise in gas prices is cascading into higher electricity costs, as seen in the spike of electricity futures for 2027 on the TGE.
In Poland, the heating sector is particularly vulnerable. Wood pellet prices have risen by nearly 40% over the last year, with some retail prices exceeding 2,600 PLN per ton. While the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has ruled out price-fixing conspiracies, attributing the rise to systemic supply-demand imbalances, some forecasts suggest prices could reach as high as 4,000–5,000 PLN per ton. This has led some households to consider alternatives like sunflower husk briquettes or heat pumps, though the latter requires significant upfront investment, estimated between 50,000 and 65,000 PLN.
Globally, the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts a record in coal demand for 2026 due to high gas prices and LNG supply constraints. Additionally, Brent crude oil has approached the 100 USD per barrel mark, further complicating the inflationary landscape and influencing central bank decisions regarding interest rates.
Entities
Association of Clean Air and Energy · European Central Bank · International Energy Agency · Ministry of Energy · Office of Competition and Consumer Protection · Poland · Polish Pellet Council · Stiebel Eltron Polska · Towarowa Giełda Energii
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] European natural gas prices on the TTF market exceeded 72 EUR/MWh. www.fakt.pl
- [● 3 SOURCES] UOKiK ruled out price manipulation by distributors, attributing increases to systemic issues and demand. wiescirolnicze.pl · energetyka24.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Wood pellet prices have reached between 2,500 and 3,000 PLN per ton. wiescirolnicze.pl · energetyka24.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Electricity futures for 2027 on the TGE reached 538 PLN/MWh in early September. www.fakt.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Poland's domestic production of wood pellets and briquettes grew by 24.2% in 2025, reaching 1.17 million tons. wiescirolnicze.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Brent crude oil prices reached 100 USD per barrel.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Installing a heat pump is estimated to cost between 50,000 and 65,000 PLN. bizblog.spidersweb.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The International Energy Agency forecasts global coal demand will reach a new record in 2026. dzienniknarodowy.pl