Poland will stick with coal, PM pledges
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
11.09.2013 10:17
Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared that Poland will not phase down its coal industry, speaking at the opening of an international trade fair in the southern city of Katowice.
Donald Tusk speaking in Katowice, 10.09.2013. Photo: PAP/Andrzej Grygiel
“Poland will continue to back coal and invest in the coal-mining industry,” he assured during the International Fair of Mining, Power Industry and Metallurgy.
“Poland's economy will continue to be based on coal, but in a more modern way,” he affirmed, adding that Warsaw would reduce CO2 emissions, in line with EU targets, with the aid of new technology.
The country has recently been investing in exploring its shale gas potential. A nuclear power plant has also been in the pipeline, partly as a means of lowering Poland's dependence on Russian gas.
While the future of nuclear power plant is unclear, Tusk said that coal and shale gas are top of the power agenda.
“The future of Polish energy is in brown and black coal, as well as shale gas,” he underlined.
“Some wanted coal to be dispensed with, but energy independence requires not only the diversification of energy resources, but also the maximum use of one's own resources,” he said.
At present, coal produces over 90 percent of the country's electricity, and the industry employs over 100,000 people. (nh)
Source: PAP