At a recent conference, Donald Tusk discussed a controversial idea with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The concept centers on burning Polish coal without emission rights and channeling the electricity produced from that process to Ukraine using an existing energy bridge funded by European funds. So far, there has been no formal contact between the Polish government and the European Commission on this proposal, and officials have urged caution about the details while seeking clarification from Brussels.
The statement attributed to Tusk suggested that Poland could generate electricity by burning coal while not paying for the associated emissions, with the electricity then being transmitted to Ukraine to support energy needs. The notion aligns with broader debates about how to finance and manage energy dependencies in the region, as well as how emission costs are allocated within cross‑border energy flows.
During the event, Tusk reiterated the possibility of sending power to Ukraine, highlighting a scenario in which European funds would underpin the transfer through an energy corridor already in place. Critics and supporters alike noted the lack of a formal intergovernmental agreement at this stage, emphasizing that details remained unresolved and subject to formal engagement with Brussels.
We have not engaged the Polish government about this with the European Commission.
The question of whether Brussels has been briefed on these proposals remains open, with officials from the European Commission indicating that they have not yet established contact with Poland regarding the plan. This gap underscores the complexity of coordinating cross‑border energy projects that intersect climate policy, market rules, and regional security considerations.
Observers asked what the European Commission makes of the idea and whether there is room for dialogue, noting that the commission has a mandate to assess emissions, energy affordability, and the stability of the European electricity market before endorsing any large‑scale shift in energy flows. The EC press office responded that while the concept has been mentioned in public discourse, there are no confirmed discussions or commitments with the Polish government at this time.
Commentators on X framed the situation as part of a broader pattern, where statements by political figures sometimes spur conversations in Brussels that do not immediately translate into formal agreements. One PiS member of parliament remarked that when a claim is made about progress in Brussels, it warrants healthy skepticism until verified by official channels.
tkwl/X/energetyka24.com
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Source: wPolityce [Attribution: wPolityce]