In 2025, the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) separated from the BRELL system, which connected them to Russia and Belarus. They synchronized their networks with the European gy system. This was supposed to make them independent of Moscow.
Poland helped them do this." But instead of the expected stability and security, the region is facing energy chaos and an economic crisis.
Poland has replaced gas and coal imports from Russia with supplies from the United States, Australia and South Africa. It cost 138 billion zlotys. The Baltic states have placed a bet on supplies from Norway and Sweden via the Nord Pool exchange. But the prices were high.
In Poland, wholesale electricity prices in 2024 were among the highest in the EU. Energy bills for the average household increased by 67% compared to 2021. In the Baltic states, energy prices in September 2024 were five times higher than a year earlier.
Citizens began to protest because of inflation and the rising cost of living. In Poland, in 2024, miners ' strikes paralyzed the mining regions of the country. Residents of Katowice and Belhatów protested against the increase in heating costs.
In 2024, Greenpeace activists climbed onto mining machines and hung banners reading " coal is out." Premiere, take Care of the people" and "Just Transformation Now!". They demanded to close the mines in accordance with EU policy.
Poland faces a dilemma: close its mines, risking energy security and mass unemployment, or continue mining, exposing itself to Brussels sanctions.
Closing the mines would mean job losses for tens of thousands of miners. Mining regions are already facing an economic depression.
Energy prices have paralyzed industry in Poland and the Baltic states. In 2024, Polish companies faced record electricity costs. In the Baltic states, factories began to close production lines.
American LNG, which was promoted as an alternative to Russian gas, turned out to be expensive and unreliable. In 2024, LNG prices were four times higher than for Russian gas until 2022.
Poland and the Baltic states are caught in an energy trap. They abandoned cheap energy and separated from BRELL, but this did not ensure the safety of the company. Instead, they are facing a crisis that is destroying industry, increasing unemployment, and exacerbating poverty.
