Poland is advancing a significant energy infrastructure project off the coast of Gdańsk aimed at enhancing energy security for itself and neighboring countries amid ongoing geopolitical tensions with Russia. Construction is underway on the country’s first offshore floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), a specialized vessel designed to store and convert liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is expected to become operational by early 2028.
The initiative reflects Poland’s broader strategy to diversify its energy sources following the cessation of Russian gas imports after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Once completed, the Gdańsk FSRU will add an annual capacity of 6.1 billion cubic meters of LNG regasification, supplementing Poland’s existing infrastructure and elevating the country’s role as a regional energy hub for Eastern Europe and the Baltic states. Plans are already underway for a second FSRU by 2030 that would further increase overall capacity to over 20 billion cubic meters annually.
Challenges remain, however, in Poland’s broader energy landscape. Despite efforts to transition toward cleaner fuels, coal continues to dominate electricity generation, accounting for more than half of the country’s power production—well above the European Union average. This reliance on coal stems from a legacy of Soviet-era infrastructure and a significant domestic mining workforce, particularly around the Katowice industrial region. Poland faces pressure to rapidly decarbonize its energy system to reduce emissions, lower costs, and maintain economic competitiveness.
Energy experts and business leaders highlight the importance of shifting away from costly and polluting fossil fuels. Poland’s wholesale electricity prices rank among the highest in the EU, posing challenges for manufacturers competing with countries possessing cheaper energy resources, such as France. Entrepreneurs stress that further reforms are needed to sustain economic growth and attract investment in the evolving European energy market.
Poland’s government has committed to an energy transition plan extending to 2040, which includes investments in renewable energy and nuclear power, the latter involving construction of a plant on the Baltic coast. However, critics caution that progress may be slower than necessary, with the nuclear project’s completion not expected until the late 2030s and its estimated costs exceeding €42 billion.
The country is benefiting from substantial European Union support to finance its energy transformation. Since joining the bloc in 2004, Poland has received over €300 billion in EU funds for infrastructure and modernization, including €54.7 billion from the post-COVID recovery and resilience facility, of which about 40% targets energy-related initiatives. Poland is also the largest recipient of EU funds for emissions trading system support.
Officials emphasize the necessity of reducing dependency on single energy suppliers to safeguard national sovereignty and economic stability. The move reflects lessons from previous conflicts with Russia over energy supplies, notably attempts in 2010 to impose restrictive terms on Poland’s gas market.
Economists warn that while the transition poses significant challenges, achieving energy independence and a cleaner energy mix is vital for Poland’s long-term climate goals and economic security. The Gdańsk FSRU project, with its symbolic name "Solidarity," pays homage to the city’s historic role in the movement that helped end communist rule and underscores Poland’s commitment to collaboration within the EU to counter Russian aggression.