# Poland summer energy supply challenges

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/poland-summer-energy-supply-challenges
> Updated: 2026-08-04T10:41:17.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2.

In July 2026 Polish authorities advised households to purchase heating fuel—coal and wood—while demand was low, noting that coal prices ranged from about 1,150‑1,300 zł per tonne and wood prices were stable. Experts warned that prices could rise later in the season, making summer purchases advantageous.

A few weeks later, an extreme heatwave lowered the Vistula River level, limiting cooling water for coal‑fired power stations. Operators at the Połaniec and Kozienice plants reduced output, cutting roughly 2,000 MW, while a major block at the Bełchatów plant was taken offline for a multi‑month overhaul. The combined reductions heightened strain on the national grid, highlighting emerging supply constraints as the summer progressed.

By early August, wholesale electricity prices in Poland spiked above 2,200 zł/MWh during evening hours as the low Vistula flow continued to restrict cooling at coal plants. The government responded by convening a crisis mini‑staff to coordinate emergency measures. The same heatwave also forced nuclear reactors in several European countries to curtail output, underscoring the broader regional impact of river‑water shortages on energy security.

## Claims

- Extreme heat and drought in Europe have lowered river water levels, forcing nuclear reactors to shut down or reduce output. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- Hungary's Paks nuclear plant reduced to one operating block because of record‑low Danube water levels. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Romania's Cernavodă nuclear plant is operating only one reactor due to low Danube water. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- France's EDF shut several reactors at Golfech because river temperatures exceeded 28 °C. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Two reactors at Chooz and one at Cattenom were stopped on August 4 due to low Meuse and Moselle river flow. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Poland's two nuclear plants reduced capacity because of low Vistula river levels. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Experts say nuclear plants are not designed for such heat and outages could increase three‑ to four‑fold by 2050. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Slovenia's Krško nuclear plant reduced output to about 80 % of capacity because of low Sava water level and temperature. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Poland's wholesale electricity price is expected to exceed 2 200 zł per MWh in the evening due to the heatwave. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Poland's government convened a crisis mini‑staff due to extreme heat. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-04: Europe's heatwave forces nuclear plant shutdowns across multiple countries

Europe’s heatwave has dried rivers, forcing nuclear reactors in France, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and others to shut down or cut output, while Poland faces soaring electricity prices and a crisis staff.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polands-coal-power-plants-cut-output-amid-heatwave

### 2026-07-19: Poland’s Summer Heating Fuel Prices Drop for Coal and Wood

Polish coal and wood heating fuel prices are lowest in summer, with coal at 1,150‑1,300 zł/tonne and dry wood up to 850 zł/m³; prices may rise in autumn.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polands-summer-heating-fuel-prices-drop-for-coal-and-wood

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Cite as: Poland summer energy supply challenges. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/poland-summer-energy-supply-challenges