Buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption in Poland. Considering that most were constructed before 1990, the country faces a major wave of thermal modernization in the coming years. This is required under the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which mandates that all new buildings must be zero-emission by 2030, and all existing buildings by 2050. New technologies—particularly in renewables—as well as modernization of power grids, will play a key role in this transformation.
Poland’s Building Stock: Aging and Energy-Intensive
According to the Polish National Energy Conservation Agency (KAPE), Poland has over 15.2 million buildings, consuming on average 402 TWh of thermal energy annually. The stock is dominated by single-family homes, which account for nearly 46% of all buildings (around 7 million). Of these, 4.7 million were built before 1990 and are characterized by low energy efficiency.
The problem is most severe in detached houses, where 60% still rely on solid fuels such as coal and wood for heating. This leads to excessive energy use and contributes significantly to poor air quality, especially during the heating season.
“The building sector in Poland, as in the entire EU, requires deep transformation and decarbonization. In Poland, buildings are responsible for around 40% of total energy demand—including residential, office, and public-use buildings,” said Patryk Żółtowski, Key Account Manager at E.ON Polska, in an interview with Newseria.
Data from Eurostat and the European Environment Agency (EEA) show that in 2023, about 80% of household energy consumption in single-family homes was used for heating, cooling, and hot water.
EPBD Directive: Zero Emissions by 2050
The revised EPBD requires:
- From 2030: all new buildings must be zero-emission.
- By 2050: all existing buildings must also be transformed.
- By December 31, 2026: each EU member state must submit a National Building Renovation Plan.
Poland is currently preparing its plan. The directive also introduces energy classes for buildings, ranging from G (lowest efficiency) to A+ (energy-positive buildings). This classification aims to help plan renovations, combat energy poverty, and direct support more effectively to the most energy-intensive buildings.
“The scale of this undertaking is immense. About 85% of EU buildings were built before 2000. The challenge is therefore enormous,” Żółtowski emphasized.
Renovation Needs in Poland
According to Poland’s draft National Renovation Plan (December 2024):
- About one-third of residential buildings require additional investments in thermal modernization.
- In single-family homes, 41% of respondents pointed to the need to insulate attics or top floors.
- About one in three identified the need for wall insulation, window replacement, or heating system upgrades.
The Healthy Buildings Barometer 2024, developed by the Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) with VELUX, shows that 70% of Polish buildings are energy-inefficient, with around 15% in the worst category.
The public sector is expected to lead by example: the directive obliges public authorities to renovate at least 3% of the total floor area of their buildings annually.
Technologies Driving Decarbonization
“The EPBD can change a lot—it not only requires us to act but also sets out a clear path for transforming buildings. In Poland, we face the challenge of around 14 million buildings needing urgent modernization and decarbonization,” Żółtowski said.
Key actions include:
- Reducing energy use within buildings.
- Switching to renewable energy sources (solar PV, solar thermal, wind, biomass).
- Using efficient technologies such as heat pumps.
- Dynamic energy management systems to monitor and optimize consumption.
- On-site energy storage, e.g., storing solar power for building use.
“Without widespread use of new technologies, whether in existing or new buildings, achieving EU climate goals is impossible,” Żółtowski added.
The revised EPBD also requires all new buildings to be solar-ready, suitable for photovoltaic or solar thermal installations. Fossil-fuel boilers will be gradually phased out.
The Role of the Power Grid
Alongside energy retrofits, Poland must also transform its power grid to support the transition.
“The problem of grid capacity is growing. For years, networks were underfunded and not modernized because there was no need. The recent mass connection of renewables has exposed these weaknesses. Without grid modernization and new infrastructure, we will not meet our climate targets,” Żółtowski warned.
He highlighted barriers to transformation:
- Grid availability and capacity constraints.
- High implementation costs.
- Balancing regulations with consumers’ financial capabilities.
He called for deregulation and faster grid-connection procedures to accelerate progress.
Buildings as a Pillar of the Energy Transition
E.ON experts stress that reducing building energy use—through insulation, limiting heat loss, and modernization—allows the installation of lower-capacity heating systems (such as heat pumps or efficient boilers). This frees up grid capacity for other sectors, supporting broader electrification and decarbonization of the economy.
This often-overlooked aspect shows how buildings play a crucial systemic role in Poland’s energy transition.
