It’s surprising, but the European Commission reads documents—e.g., the NECP (National Energy and Climate Plan)…

Total surprise in decision-making circles and all those interested in cooperation within the European Union was aroused by the news that the European Commission has sent questions about the preliminary version of the Polish National Energy and Climate Plan. The surprise, above all, was that it turned out that someone in Brussels reads our documents – particularly frivolous because we don’t read them ourselves. The NECP was supposed to be sent by Poland by the end of 2023 (but, as you can see, there were other things on our minds – including elections), so something was sent (already by the new government) in March 2023, a draft and not a final document, and only in one of the required options (the so-called “base”). Not only did Brussels not accept the plan right away, but it still read and asked questions – which shatters the narrative of united Europe’s actions at the next elections for some. The questions, by the way, were quite reasonable – e.g., “Provide more details on the role of nuclear energy in the energy mix and on the ambitions for the development of small modular SMRs, especially by showing concrete steps and a timetable for new construction projects, taking into account the diversification and long-term supply of nuclear materials, fuel, parts and services for these projects, as well as the long-term management of nuclear waste” – it also recommended accepting a specific renewable energy share of 32.5% in 2030 (assumed 29.5 in the draftee). The EC also identified other issues with questions on how we will reduce gas demand (because coal is a given) and to look at energy poverty, the emissions gap, specific reduction targets in public institutions, etc. At the same time, however, the EC, according to the Ministry’s information, accepted the NECP in its draft version and at least closed the infringement procedure related to the late delivery of the documents. The final acknowledgement was that the NECP for Poland was created and sent anyway. The final version (plus an additional scenario) is supposed to be sent by the end of June, but if there is no longer a violation procedure and the EC is no longer chasing. It can be, and after everyone with understanding will read the vacations 😊 Perhaps the final versions. Perhaps it will be possible to talk generally about the fact that all new buildings in 2030 are to be zero-emission and that this will give something to our society after all and not attack national sovereignty. In any case – whether we are for or against the green transition, unfortunately, we have to note that someone we send reads with understanding. 

The richest are ending coal in 2035…

The G7 (the world’s wealthiest countries) have unanimously signed a document on eliminating coal in 2035. They currently use about 16% of this resource in the energy mix (Japan, even about a third). The richest put a “dot over the i”, which will, of course, complete the transformation of their energy companies, which will no longer deal in coal (think of the American approach to coal – they will possibly only export it, but no longer consume it). Add the German decision to eliminate coal by 2038 (it will probably also be postponed to 2035), and you can see the trend of the world’s wealthiest economies. One can, of course, approach this information from two sides – e.g., as a fad of the richest (“who can forbid the rich”) and some absurd ecological madness – because how can one get rid of coal simply and with all one’s might resist against these trends – at least for the time of the current election campaign. You can also quickly go to the inquiries and get the information that our average GDP per capita is about $20,000 (indeed, the growth rate is reasonable). In the G7, it is about $50,000 per head per year—usually, the rich like to be even richer, which will happen in this case. Our choice (also in conjunction with our NECP concepts) is up to us… after all, “Who’s forbidden to a Pole?”…

The Polish presidency of the EU and energy market…

In the first half of 2025, Poland will assume the Presidency of the European Union (jointly a trio of presidencies with Denmark and Cyprus). Of course, the function itself is more of a celebratory one than one that allows for some abrupt changes to the EU. Still, it customarily allows the entire European Union to take an interest in the issues most important to a country. So we’ve already met the initial outlines of such vital areas – and here suddenly comes… “energy transition and climate protection.” Interestingly, we will deal with this in a country where a large part of the public and political parties chase away the energy transition like the devil with holy water and where climate protection is understood as protecting one’s interests in burning garbage in old stoves and the problem of the freedom to use old cars that exceed current emission standards many times over is a matter of personal and economic freedom. It is customary to enter the presidency with an ambiguous message on the banners, so many new MEPs will try to promote their voice. There are rumours about the concept of reaching Brussels through singing, and so the idea of promoting the excellent star Roksana Węgiel (she not only sings but also dances well) supported by Daria from Silesia, Mroz and Zima Stulecia with her album “Minus 30 C” is being created. There is even a pre-promoted slogan, “Coal (Coal) is a Diamond.” To soften the denialist overtones of this narrative, of course, a counter-concept is being built to bring together Mery Spolsky, PROBL3M, Dead Wasp, WaluśKraksaKryzys and Spięty and Porter/Karczewska with their album “On the Wrong Planet” and focus on the climate problem, however. Fortunately, none of the singers or bands knows anything about it. So they will be joined artistically by the new release of Mr Kleks Academy and the typically Polish “Męskie Granie”. And, less satirically, with six months to go until the presidency, maybe it’s worth generating one joint post about the energy transition and climate protection…