Poland achieves full independence from Russian coal

Poland imported 14 million tons of coal by sea in 2022, achieving complete independence from Russia, Deputy Minister of State Assets of Poland Karol Rabenda said at a press conference, Report informs via TASS.

"From the beginning of the year to its end, we delivered 14 million tons of coal to Poland," he said, stressing that this is a record volume that was transported through the country's ports.

The shortage of coal that existed in Poland for many years and was dealt with by private enterprises at the expense of Russian coal disappeared this year, Rabenda said, noting that the Polish authorities managed to change the sources of supplies.

"We can say that we have made Poland 100% independent from Russian coal," he stressed.

In April, Polish President Andrzej Duda signed a law passed by parliament imposing an embargo on coal supplies from Russia, and the country began buying it from Australia, Indonesia, Colombia, the United States and South Africa.

Poland produces about 40 million tons of coal per year. In addition, the republic previously imported up to 20 million tons. Poland used 62.4 million tons of hard coal in 2020, according to the Polish Main Statistical Office. In 2021, the use of coal in the energy sector increased by 30% in the republic.