The Area of Mining and Energy Transformation in the Łódź Province in the Context of the Decommissioning of the Energy Complex in Bełchatów and the Issues of Just Transformation

Abstract

For many years, the European Union has been consistently striving to minimize its environmental impact, use resources more sustainably, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect biodiversity and abandon the use of fossil fuels. This is to lead to create a low- and zero-emission economy and achieving climate neutrality in the European Union by 2050. The process of energy transformation, i.e. departure from using from fossil fuels and technologies based on them to zero-emission energy sources, will entail challenges, especially for countries such as Poland. In 2021, over 80% of the electricity generated in Poland  came from the combustion of lignite, hard coal and natural gas.

Environmental considerations were the main motive for initiating the transformation process. The process aims at shaping systems based on renewable energy sources, or alternatively on sources with low emission of substances harmful to the atmosphere (dust, greenhouse gases). This will cause an ongoing process of decarbonisation, which will be particularly painful for regions whose economies are significantly dependent on large mining and energy complexes such as Kopania Węgla Brunatnego Bełchatów and Elektrownia Bełchatów.

One of the key elements supporting transformation processes in the EU is the Just Transition Mechanism. Its aim is to support a well-thought-out and planned policy of changing the economic profile of regions where the coal and lignite mining and processing industry played an important role. This article aims to determine the effects of the shutdown of the Energy Complex in Bełchatów.