Bioethanol Production in Poland in the Context of Sustainable Development-Current Status and Future Prospects

Abstract

The high dependence on imported fuels, the need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the need to develop a low-carbon economy are reasons for the development of the renewable energy market in Poland. The wider use of biofuels can be a method for reducing oil dependence and reducing CO2 emission. Opportunities to reduce emissions and meet international requirements in the field of environmental protection are seen, among others, in the development of the production and greater use of biocomponents, including bioethanol. This article presents the current state of development in the area of bioethanol production in Poland. An outline of legal regulations in the examined area and statistical data, as well as the largest producers and their production capacity, are presented. The basic time range of analyses covered the years 2015–2019. According to the analyses, liquid biofuels in Poland are used on a small scale, although over 2015–2019, the production of bioethanol as a biocomponent in motor fuels increased by 43,537 tonnes. However, production potential is still underused. In recent years, there have been major changes in the structure of the use of raw materials for bioethanol production. The share of maize has significantly decreased (although it is still dominant in the consumption structure) in favour of waste raw materials.