Poland's 2030 climate plan includes 56% renewable energy

The climate minister announced on Thursday that Poland aims to have 56% of its electricity come from renewable sources by 2030. She was presenting the draft national energy and climate plans, which Warsaw must submit to the European Commission.

The target is lower than the pre-election promise of the largest party in government, that Poland would have upto 70% of green energy in the mix by 2030 but higher than the 50% Poland declared back in February.

Paulina Hennig Kloska said at a press conference that "we are no longer fighting in government over the basic parameters of this plan. The lack of transformation costs more than its implementation."

She added that the plan, which was presented Thursday, envisaged investment of 792 milliards zlotys (205 billion dollars).

National energy and climate plan details member states' contribution to the bloc’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% or more by 2030. They also provide a roadmap for the energy industry to invest in.

Warsaw wants to increase the use of renewable energy to reduce its dependence on coal, while also dealing with the legacy of the former government that had blocked onshore wind development and promised to continue mining coal until the year 2049.

The plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2020 and primary energy consumption by 16.7%. ($1 = 3.8496 zlotys) (Reporting by Marek Strzelecki; Editing by Alison Williams)

(source: Reuters)