June 2026 was a remarkable month for Poland’s energy sector, showcasing two contrasting sides of the industry. On one hand, the nation experienced a surge in solar energy production, reflecting progress in renewable energy. On the other hand, challenges in maintaining system stability became apparent.
In June 2026, Poland’s electricity generation reached 13.49 terawatt-hours (TWh), up by 7.2% compared to the same month last year.
Sources of Energy
According to PSE data, coal played the dominant role in the energy mix, contributing 39% of the country’s total energy production. Coal-fired plants generated 5.21 TWh, marking a 24.5% increase year-on-year. Brown coal followed as the second largest source, accounting for 20% with production rising to 2.68 TWh, a year-on-year increase of 19.5%. Together, these coal technologies supplied approximately 58.5% of Poland’s electricity in June.
Solar energy stood out as the biggest beneficiary of the summer season. Production from renewable sources, primarily solar installations, increased by 21.4% year-on-year, reaching a record 3.13 TWh in June, which represented a 23% share of the national energy output. Since the beginning of the year, these sources have contributed 12.26 TWh, up 19% compared to the same period in 2025.
Conversely, June presented poor conditions for wind energy, with wind farms producing only 1.09 TWh, a significant drop of 52.4% compared to last year. The wind sector’s share in the energy mix fell to 8%, down from its earlier prominence in the year. Monthly data illustrates a declining trend, decreasing from 2.5 TWh in January to just over 1 TWh in June.
Gas-fired plants generated 1.18 TWh in June, reflecting a 9.2% year-on-year growth, with gas accounting for 9% of total production. Cumulatively, gas production since the start of the year reached 9.90 TWh, nearly an 11% increase compared to the previous year, confirming the gradual rise of gas units in Poland’s energy system.
Dominant Power Plants
For the first time in several months, Poland recorded a clearly positive balance in foreign energy exchange. The balance stood at minus 304 gigawatt-hours (GWh), indicating an export surplus over imports. A year earlier, the balance was nearly equal at minus 9 GWh.
High domestic production, which exceeded energy consumption, enabled increased exports to neighboring markets. From January to June 2026, Poland’s total electricity generation amounted to 89.08 TWh, a 5.5% increase year-on-year. During this period, energy consumption rose by 4.6%, reaching 87.10 TWh.
Despite the growth in renewable generation, the first half of the year continues to show a strong reliance on thermal power plants. Generation from conventional thermal power plants increased by 7.4% year-on-year, surpassing 64.9 TWh, while wind production was down by 14.6% compared to the same period in 2025.
Poland’s Coal Dependence
The June statistics highlight that Poland’s energy transition is underway, yet the pace of change remains heavily influenced by weather conditions. A sunny month propelled solar energy production to impressive levels, while a concurrent decline in wind generation underscored that renewable sources have not yet assumed a dominant role in the energy system.
Additionally, the ongoing importance of coal-fired power plants is evident. When wind production sharply decreased, coal plants quickly ramped up energy generation. This indicates that despite the growth of renewable energy sources, Poland’s system still relies on dispatchable sources capable of operating independently of weather conditions.
Long-term data for the first half of the year suggests that the rise of solar energy is becoming a key driver of change in Poland’s energy landscape. However, June serves as a reminder that without investments in energy storage, flexible gas sources, transmission networks, and new nuclear capacities, it will be challenging to reduce the ongoing dominance of coal. The greater the share of weather-dependent sources, the more crucial it becomes to develop technologies that ensure stable energy supply.
