Poland has unveiled an energy strategy that calls for significant investment to transition from fossil fuels to green energy, Reuters and Agerpres reported.

Poland currently generates about 70% of its electricity from coal-fired power plants and has been working on a new energy strategy since the start of the war in Ukraine with the idea of ​​reducing its dependence on fossil fuels.

“By 2040, we need to invest about 500 billion zlotys ($116.1 billion) in transmission and distribution networks,” said Tomasz, CEO of Polish electricity transmission network operator (PSE) Sikorsky, adding that Poland must plan to modernize the networks, so that they are completed in parallel with the increase of renewable capacities.

According to Poland’s new energy strategy, 74% of electricity will be produced from emission-free sources, including renewable energy sources and nuclear power.

According to government estimates, Poland will have 50 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, rising to 88 gigawatts in 2040.

“These revised forecasts will allow us to strengthen Poland’s energy sovereignty and the competitiveness of the national economy, as well as ensure energy security for citizens,” Polish Environment Minister Anna Moskova said at a press conference.

In addition, according to the new energy strategy, the installed energy capacity of Poland will double to 130 gigawatts by 2040.

In recent years, the conservative government in Warsaw has been at the center of several bitter disputes with the European Union over the Turow coal mine, located near the border with the Czech Republic, which Poland says is still vital to its energy security.

In September 2021, the Polish government announced that it was refusing to close the mine, despite the European Court of Justice ruling to do so and the €500,000 daily fine imposed on Poland for failing to comply with the European Court of Justice ruling.