Emission changes in power industry― The decade of transition in Poland

摘要

Political changes and economical transformation beginning ten years ago in Poland have changed the present image of fuel and energy sector. The first complex legal regulations concerning environment protection in Poland were established indeed in 1980 year, but only last decade brought the important solutions affected power industry: emissions limits, system of fees for using environment and fines paid for exceeding limits. Electricity and heat generation in Poland is traditionally based on domestic solid fuels: hard coal and brown coal. After 10 years of economy transition process it can be stated that in Polish power industry during the period 1989-1998 coal consumption decreased by 19%, coal quality improved: calorific value increased and sulfur and ash content decreased, SO_2 emission decreased by 49%, particulate matters emission reduced by 87%; electricity production did not change in substance. Environment protection regulations (both domestic and international), environmentally sound investments undertaken in power plants and in coal mines, have an important impact on the level of the pollutant emissions from power generating industry.