Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, framed Turów as a vital energy asset for Poland while stressing that its defense should not come at the expense of the neighboring Czech environment. He asserted that the Polish Energy Group would provide Prague with full, unfiltered data about the Turów operation, and he suggested that a plan to close the Turów mine could be considered in 2026 if safeguards and transparency were ensured.
In Prague, the two neighboring governments held high level talks, with Tusk and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala participating. In a joint press conference, the leaders addressed questions about the Turów power plant, its cross-border consequences, and the measures under discussion to balance energy needs with environmental concerns.
Fiala stated that the talks concluded with a concrete arrangement: Poland would release the data on Turów that Prague had previously requested, including environmental monitoring results and prior impact assessments. Tusk added that PGE would provide the complete information to the Czech side in the near future, reinforcing a commitment to transparency and ongoing dialogue.
Tusk characterized the dispute as one born out of misunderstandings and political posturing that had overshadowed practical steps to resolve concerns. He insisted that both sides share a common interest in reliable energy supplies and in protecting citizens near the mine.
While reaffirming Turów’s role in Poland’s energy mix, he cautioned that any defense of the project must not compromise the environment of communities across the border. He warned against political leverage that would ignore cross-border environmental standards and the wellbeing of local residents.
What about Turów?
Fiala noted that the most contentious issues were sorted out early in his administration through a framework that included concrete safeguards. A key element is a robust groundwater barrier designed to prevent any further subterranean flow from Turów into Czech soil, which has been a central demand for Czech authorities and local communities.
The Turów facility sits in the town of Bogatynia, a tri-border zone where the lands of Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany converge. The plant’s location has long underlined the cross-border nature of the dispute, with impact felt in neighboring municipalities on both sides of the border.
Back in May 2021 the European Court of Justice ordered a halt to coal mining at Turów following a Czech complaint about environmental impacts. The ruling, issued by Vice President Rosario Silve de Lapuerta, reflected concerns about groundwater and cross-border pollution. Some opposition politicians pressed for full compliance and closure of the mine, arguing that EU law left no room for delay. The Polish government, led by Prime Minister Morawiecki, argued the mine supported local jobs and energy security, resisting an immediate shutdown. An agreement with Prague was reached, but daily fines continued to mount as the dispute persisted, ultimately reaching into the millions of euros.
Over the months that followed, fines accumulated. In total, 68.5 million euros were collected for the period spanning September 20, 2021, to February 3, 2022, underscoring the financial friction tied to the legal decision and the longer-term standoff between the two states.
In March, a provincial court confirmed that no coal extraction would be allowed at Turów starting in 2026, applying the environmental protection standards set by the General Directorate for Environmental Protection. The decision did not incorporate a formal bilateral environmental safeguard agreement between Warsaw and Prague, and no appeal was filed by the National Public Prosecution Service against the ruling, leaving the timeline for closure on a firm legal footing.