How Poland broke free from Russian gas and why it matters for the EU
Over the past decade, Poland has implemented one of Europe's most ambitious plans to achieve energy independence from Russia.
Just ten years ago, 84% of Poland’s energy imports came from Russian sources. By 2025, however, Poland has completely phased out Russian oil and gas from its economy and nearly tripled the share of renewables in its electricity production.
Read more about the experience Poland offers and what other European countries can learn from it in the article by Maciej Zaniewicz of Forum Energii and Oleh Savytskyi of Razom We Stand – A course for energy independence: how Poland quit Russian gas.
Poland's dependence on Russian gas created a strategic vulnerability that Moscow repeatedly exploited.
In 2016, Russia reduced gas pressure just before the NATO summit in Warsaw. In 2017, it sent unusable, water-laden gas into the Polish system.
Poland’s response was systematic: diversifying gas supply routes, building an LNG import terminal, constructing the Baltic Pipe from Norway via Denmark and creating interconnectors with Lithuania and Slovakia.
Warsaw’s long-term goal was clear: to end its contract with Gazprom.
This was achieved even as the rest of Europe deepened its energy ties with Russia.
The strategy paid off. When Russia unilaterally cut off gas supplies to Poland in April 2022, the country was prepared.
From a geopolitical perspective, Poland has severed its gas ties with Russia.
However, gas consumption in Poland is now rising, driven by industrial growth, the replacement of coal boilers with gas systems, and the launch of new gas-fired power units.
While Poland has neutralised the immediate threat of Russian energy coercion, full energy independence remains a work in progress. The country still needs to further reduce fossil fuel imports in favor of renewable energy. Encouragingly, Warsaw has made notable progress on this front.
Poland’s experience clearly shows that life without Russian oil and gas is not only possible. It is politically and technically feasible.
Reducing dependency on Russia must be a collective European effort.
The issue, however, goes beyond just Russian fossil fuels. The EU’s broader reliance on imported energy is the core challenge.
Poland’s case proves that an accelerated energy transition is achievable through determination and strategic planning. The European Commission and national governments now have a chance to ramp up efforts to cut dependence on imported fossil fuels and boost resilience through domestic renewable energy sources.