The past decade has been a period of remarkable change for Poland’s energy sector. When Forum Energii was founded in 2015, it was driven by one overarching goal: to create a space for evidence-based discussion on the energy transition and to bring together different perspectives in a debate that had long been marked by polarization. Today, ten years later, we have reached an important milestone—a moment to reflect on the journey we have taken together.
Do You Remember the Summer of 2015?
Outside, Poland was experiencing record-breaking heatwaves—conditions that have gradually become our new normal. Conventional power plants struggled to cool their generating units, forcing the transmission system operator to introduce temporary electricity supply restrictions. At that time, the entire Polish power system had just 200 MW of installed solar PV capacity.
In 2018, when the government published the draft Energy Policy of Poland until 2040 for public consultation, coal still accounted for more than 82% of the country's electricity mix. Renewable energy sources were discussed primarily as a potential threat to grid stability rather than as the foundation of the future energy system.
Today, Poland is a very different country. Although much work still lies ahead, the direction of change has been set and the transformation is well underway. To mark our anniversary, we prepared a commemorative poster illustrating a decade of Poland's energy transition. Its message is simple: we are all part of this transformation.
Complimentary copies of the poster are available at our office. If you would like to receive one, simply contact us at komunikacja@forum-energii.eu to arrange a convenient pick-up time.
A poster created for the 10th anniversary of Forum Energii.
Energy That Cannot Be Measured in Gigawatts Alone
We celebrated our 10th anniversary on 23 June 2026 in the unique setting of the Warsaw Gasworks Museum.
Someone joked that if it were possible to measure the collective energy of the more than 250 guests gathered that evening—government representatives, members of parliament, CEOs of energy companies, representatives of industry associations, think tanks, journalists, members of Forum Energii's Supervisory Board, as well as former and current employees—and connect it to the electricity grid, Poland would have enough power for an entire week.
During conversations throughout the evening, one question kept resurfacing: Has it really been only ten years? It feels as though Forum Energii has been part of Poland's energy debate forever.
For us, this was an enormous compliment and a reminder of how much Poland needed a trusted platform for open dialogue. As Joanna Pandera, President of Forum Energii, said during the gala: We don't always have to agree. What matters is that we continue to discuss, listen to one another's arguments, and treat each other with mutual respect.
Forum Energii team.
A Moment of Gratitude
An evening like this would not have been possible without expressing our gratitude.
We would like to thank Paulina Hennig-Kloska, Minister of Climate and Environment, and Wojciech Wrochna, Deputy Minister of Energy, who opened the event with inspiring remarks.
Our sincere thanks also go to the members of Forum Energii's Supervisory Board—Paweł Smoleń, Piotr Otawski, Antoni Bielewicz, and Lidia Kołucka—for their wisdom, longstanding commitment and steadfast support, which have enabled us to tackle some of the most challenging issues facing the energy sector.
Paulina Hennig-Kloska, Minister of Climate and the Environment, Poland
Wojciech Wrochna, Deputy Minister of Energy, Poland
From left to right: Tobiasz Adamczewski (Vice President, Forum Energii), Ewa Bławdziewicz (Managing Director and Member of the Management Board), Lidia Kołucka (Member of the Supervisory Board), Paweł Smoleń (Chair of the Supervisory Board), Joanna Pandera (President of the Management Board, Forum Energii), and Antoni Bielewicz (Member of the Supervisory Board).
People, Not Algorithms
At Forum Energii, we work every day with large numbers: gigawatts, petajoules and tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Energy is a field governed by mathematics, engineering, physics and complex regulatory frameworks.
Yet behind every systemic reform, every investment and every policy decision stand real people. Their vision, determination, courage and—perhaps most importantly—the increasingly rare ability to work together across divisions. No artificial intelligence can replace those qualities.
That is why our anniversary became an opportunity to recognise the leaders who continue to inspire us.
We also wanted to pay tribute, in a symbolic way, to a man who for decades has successfully bridged the worlds of science, politics and public service—Professor Jerzy Buzek.
It is impossible to summarise his extraordinary achievements in just a few lines. For us, however, several milestones are particularly significant:
- co-authoring far-reaching reforms of the Polish state, including the restructuring of the coal mining sector;
- combining an academic career in environmental engineering with active involvement in Poland's democratic opposition;
- serving as President of the European Parliament, becoming the first politician from Central and Eastern Europe to hold this office, elected with a record number of votes and leaving it to a standing ovation;
- leading the European Energy Forum and actively shaping the European debate on energy policy.
While developing our new institutional strategy, we arrived at a simple conclusion: we aspire to be like Jerzy Buzek—deeply expert, yet always open to dialogue; European in outlook, while fully understanding Poland's local realities. We want to bring people together, build bridges between science and policymaking, and maintain a long-term perspective.
In this context, our June gala was also an opportunity to emphasise that the energy transition is not happening only in Brussels or Warsaw. It is taking place every single day in Bełchatów, Konin, Włocławek, and hundreds of other towns and cities across Poland. These are the places where responsibility, fairness and genuine care for local communities matter most.
For this reason, our People, Cities, Regions programme has become an integral part of Forum Energii's work over the past year. During the gala, we recognised local leaders whose outstanding commitment is helping to make the energy transition both practical and just.
Jerzy Buzek, Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland
Category: PEOPLE
Marzena Tyl-Czarzasty (Association "Tak dla Bełchatowa")
For her extraordinary personal commitment to supporting the just transition of the Bełchatów region. For creating alternative development pathways, promoting education, consistently engaging local communities in discussions about the future, and strengthening women's position in the local labour market.
Category: CITIES
Sebastian Górka (Plenipotentiary of the Mayor of Włocławek for Energy and Climate)
For his long-standing and systematic work to improve the quality of life of Włocławek's residents. From pioneering ESCO projects and passive building initiatives, through the decarbonisation of the city's district heating system, to providing practical, day-to-day support for residents replacing outdated heating sources, Włocławek has demonstrated how local governments can approach the green transition with ambition, responsibility and partnership.
Category: REGIONS
Magdalena Śladowska (Marshal's Office of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship)
For her consistent and patient efforts in building regional air quality policy. For creating excellent cooperation with local governments, effectively coordinating clean air programmes, and demonstrating the rare ability to combine ambitious environmental objectives with the genuine development needs of the Mazovia region.
From left: Joanna Pandera (President of the Management Board of Forum Energii), Marzena Tyl-Czarzasty (Association “Yes for Bełchatów”)
From left: Joanna Pandera (President of the Energy Forum Management Board) and Sebastian Górka (Włocławek Mayor’s Plenipotentiary for Energy and Climate Affairs).
Magdalena Śladowska (Marshal’s Office of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship)
