2nd German-Polish Energy Transition Forum

Germany and Poland are facing similar challenges in the energy transition. The panellists discussed the status of the heating transition in both countries and the impact of different national funding instruments. The decarbonisation of the industry was also discussed, with a focus on the opportunities to create new jobs and increase energy security leveraging new technologies and business models.

Jennifer Morgan, State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action at the German Foreign Office, commented, ‘We can only solve the climate crisis together, we can only advance the green transformation together. If we Europeans join forces and invest in the decarbonisation of our industry, we will ensure that Europe remains competitive and helps shape the green markets of the future. Just as in Poland, we in Germany are committed to a fair energy transition that combines the necessary structural change with opportunities and leaves no one behind. An energy transition that creates jobs, secures quality of life and creates prosperity.’

Urszula Zielińska, Polish Secretary of State at the Ministry of Climate and Environment, emphasised the challenges and opportunities of an ambitious energy transition. ‘Since the elections on 15 October 2023 at the latest, the course for transformation has been clear in Poland and is in line with the direction of the entire European Union. Achieving the targets set out in the European Climate Law: -55% of carbon emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050 are also our goals. Essentially, it is about improving energy efficiency in the economy and in our homes. It is about an energy mix based on domestic onshore and offshore wind resources. We are talking about solar energy, biogas and biomethane, nuclear power and green hydrogen, for which we are preparing a new legal framework this year. In addition to this, there is the conversion of district heating to low-temperature networks, large heat pumps and heat storage systems that run on renewable energies and renewable gas, as well as modern digital management,’ according to the Polish Secretary of State.

Kristina Haverkamp, Managing Director of dena, emphasises the importance of close cooperation between Germany and Poland for the energy transition, adding that ‘we can jointly develop solutions that not only advance our countries, but Europe as a whole, through constructive dialogue at this forum. Specifically, the German-Polish Energy Platform is already supporting the cities of Görlitz and Zgorzelec in connecting their district heating networks in order to supply the entire European city [of Görlitz/Zgorzelec] with climate-neutral district heating.’

Karolina Loth-Babut, Managing Director of the Polish National Energy Conservation Agency, emphasises the importance of the common challenges facing Poland and Germany in the age of ever-increasing climate change. ‘The common climate challenges, including the energy transition, are a great opportunity to build a bridge between nations to transform challenges into opportunities together. The forum is a great opportunity to bring together the different sides of the energy transition process to achieve a synergy of actions for a better future,’ according to her.

Expanded supporting programme and new partnerships

The German-Polish Energy Transition Forum was embedded in a supporting programme for the first time ever. In addition to an official evening reception, two side events were organised and new cooperation partners were acquired. Further, an exchange in which representatives of German and Polish think tanks and NGOs exchanged views on energy and climate policy cooperation at civil society level took place on the evening before the forum. The side event was held in the German Bundestag in cooperation with Germanwatch e.V. Later that evening, participants were invited to a reception at the Polish Embassy.