The conventional power sector in the face of the challenge of technological transformation

Abstract

The article criticises the direction in which the Polish electrical power sector is to develop, as stated in the draft energy policy. Such a draft policy assumes not only that overwhelming dependence on hard and brown coal for electricity generation should be maintained in the long term, but also that large-scale nuclear power plants should be developed. The starting point of the article is a statement that the authors of this policy do not sufficiently take into account the challenges of, and related threats to, both types of energy generation resulting from progress in technology transformation involving the rapid development of renewable energy. The purpose of the article is to present arguments confirming the following twofold thesis. Firstly, the greatest threat to coal and nuclear power plants is the so-called death spiral, which results in those assets gaining a stranded status. Secondly, against the backdrop of the growing share of renewable energy sources in the national energy mix, there is a need to focus on the development of gas sources for electricity production. The justification of this thesis is based on an analysis of the current levels of knowledge about the progress and direction of the power sector technological transformation, especially in solar and wind electricity generation, electricity storage as well as smart grids and meters. The problem of spiral death as an existential threat for the economics of coal and nuclear power is then analysed, and against this background the advantages of gas source development are presented.