The climate neutrality of Poland and the Pomeranian Voivodeship was the subject of the September plenary session of the Voivodeship Council for Social Dialogue in Gdańsk. The guest of the Council was, among others Adam Guibourgé-Czetwertyński, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Climate. In his presentation, which started the meeting, the guest presented Polish energy policy until 2040 (PEP-2040) and discussed the concept of climate neutrality. He emphasized that the presented version of PEP 2040 includes, among others conclusions from public consultations (held November-December 2019), European Green Deal, COVID-19 and Next Generation EU (package supporting the reconstruction of Europe after the pandemic). The presentation included, among others simulation of energy production from RES and conventional (available) sources in January 2030 (weather parameters from 2015 were adopted). It shows, inter alia, that although the development of RES causes a periodic surplus of electricity generated, it does not eliminate the need to have available generation sources that will supplement the power balance with the required reserve. They are necessary due to the period of windless weather conditions (approx. 10 days), which would prevent both land and sea units from producing energy during this time. PEP-2040 predicts that the share of renewable energy in electricity production will be at least 32 percent. (offshore and onshore wind energy, photovoltaics), in heating and cooling 28%. (biomass, heat pumps, biogas plants, geothermal energy), in transport it is to reach 14 percent. (biofuels and electromobility). Marcin Osowski, president of the board of the Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Gdańsk, spoke about the problems in achieving climate neutrality in the Pomeranian region. The main barriers, according to the president, include extensive maritime sector. There, the change of technology necessary to achieve climate neutrality in Pomerania is very expensive, so it will significantly reduce the competitiveness of the Polish maritime industry. Another barrier is the lack of a good manufacturing source. The Energa Group has to import electricity from other regions of the country. An advantage is, for example, projects related to biogas plants. In addition, the refinery produces about one million tonnes of hydrogen annually. – Pomorskie is on the right track, because the benefits have an advantage over the barriers – summed up the president of the Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.

Source: Dialog w centrum i w Regionach nr 9/2020 (87) , Ministerstwo Rodziny, Pracy i Polityki Społecznej