Energy efficiency highlights in transformation period and updating of energy policy of Poland up to 2005

Abstract

This paper presents some important macroeconomic components characterising the energy economy in Poland during the transition period 1995-2000. Evaluation of primary energy use in Poland has been made in two separate energy flows firstly, energy in the production sector and secondly, energy consumed by households. The comparison of energy productivity in Poland and the EU in 2000 shows 50%; of the EU average when GDP is calculated according to the ppp methodology, and still around three times smaller when Poland's GDP is expressed applying the official exchange rate. Some issues of energy pricing policy during 1997-2000 are discussed, mainly analysis focused on changes of relative prices of energy used in the industrial sector and in households. The comparison shows that relative prices of natural gas and electricity increased by 30%; and district heating by 17%; during the analysed period. Some developmental challenges to Polish energy policy guidelines focusing on both the newest macroeconomic data and legal aspects of energy law are also discussed briefly. A short energy forecast overview is presented finally.