Current state and prospects of geothermal-energy implementation in Poland

Poland has rich geothermal water resources. Geothermal energy should be treated as one of the main renewable sources of energy. In particular, the space-heating sector has good prospects for its wide application. This will result in a considerable reduction in the use of traditional fuels and in the emissions generated in many regions. Among the main factors influencing the low official estimate of the potential for the use of geothermal energy are the low, competitive prices of fossil fuels, insufficient law regulations and lack of finance. This paper presents the main aspects of geothermal energy use in Poland. Basic information is given referring to the plants in operation, under construction and further plans. Particular prospects for the development of geothermal energy in Poland include the use of abandoned wells for the exploitation of geothermal water; cascaded, integrated and distributed systems; heat extraction not only from large depths but also from shallow water and rock formations. Such solutions will result in the lowering of investment costs, increasing their effectiveness, extending the market and making geothermal energy competitive both with traditional energy sources and other renewables.