Nuclear Energy as One Option for Decarbonising Poland’s District Heating Systems

Poland’s district heating sector needs a competitive decarbonisation pathway that leverages a broad range of clean technologies. In 2025, licensed district heating companies operated 50.95 GW of installed capacity and 23,000 km of heat networks, while coal-based fuels accounted for 52.8% of all fuels used for heat generation, compared with as much as 81.7% in 2002.

Nuclear energy could become one decarbonisation option for selected large and medium-sized district heating systems. Its deployment is most likely to be justified where heat demand is sufficiently high and predictable, heat transmission costs can be low, and long-term offtake arrangements can support the recovery of high fixed costs.