Poznań's Green Blueprint: A Polish City's Tech-Fueled Coal Exit

POZNAŃ, Poland – November 25, 2025

In a move that signals a decisive shift in Europe's energy landscape, the city of Poznań is rapidly becoming a showcase for urban decarbonization. Global resource management firm Veolia has unveiled a flagship project to systematically phase out coal from the city's district heating system by 2030. This ambitious initiative is more than just an infrastructure upgrade; it represents a convergence of advanced energy technology, strategic urban planning, and a profound commitment to public wellness. By leveraging a multi-faceted technological approach, Poznań is not only cleaning its air but also forging a replicable blueprint for energy resilience that could guide other coal-reliant regions toward a sustainable future.

A Technological Leap from Coal to Cogeneration

The cornerstone of this transformation is a new, state-of-the-art multi-energy cogeneration plant. This facility, which already supplies heat to 60% of Poznań’s 560,000 residents, represents a quantum leap in efficiency. By simultaneously producing both heat and electricity—a process known as cogeneration or Combined Heat and Power (CHP)—the plant achieves an operational efficiency of 92%. This is a stark improvement over traditional coal-fired units and has resulted in an immediate 25% reduction in CO₂ emissions, preventing up to 260,000 tons of the greenhouse gas from entering the atmosphere annually.

This initial phase marks the single biggest change in the history of district heating in the city. The project is on track to eliminate the use of over 300,000 tons of coal each year, a critical step in a country where coal still generated approximately 57% of electricity in 2024. As Estelle Brachlianoff, Chief Executive Officer of Veolia, stated, this initiative represents a "decisive step in Poland's energy transition." She emphasized the project's impact, noting, "For Poznań, this means cleaner air, improved quality of life, and a more affordable, reliable & resilient energy network."

Charting a Course Beyond Fossil Fuels

While the current gas-fired cogeneration plant is a crucial transitional step, the long-term vision for Poznań extends far beyond simply switching from one fossil fuel to another. The project's second phase outlines a comprehensive strategy to create a diversified, decentralized, and ultimately zero-coal energy mix by 2030. This forward-thinking plan involves integrating a suite of innovative and renewable energy sources.

Future heat production will tap into biomethane and green hydrogen, leveraging advancements in renewable gas technologies. Furthermore, the system will incorporate large-scale heat recovery, capturing residual thermal energy from industrial processes, local wastewater facilities, and even data centers—turning previously wasted energy into a valuable resource for heating homes and businesses. Perhaps most ambitious is the plan for geothermal energy. Following seismic surveys that began earlier this year, the company aims to develop geothermal heating plants projected to cover approximately 20% of the city’s total heating needs. This multi-technology approach exemplifies a holistic strategy for urban energy, creating a robust and adaptable system.

Philippe Guitard, CEO of Veolia's Central & Eastern Europe Zone, framed the project within a broader context, calling the energy transition of the firm's 500+ European district heating networks a "challenge of considerable scale." He identified the Poznań investment as a "key milestone" that will enable the complete phase-out of coal from the system within the decade, demonstrating a path forward for the entire region.

Bolstering a Nation's Energy Security

The project's impact transcends local environmental benefits, playing a strategic role in Poland's national energy security. The new cogeneration unit is contracted to support the national power grid (KSE), providing crucial stability during periods of peak electricity demand. Unlike older coal plants, modern gas-fired CHP units can respond rapidly to fluctuations in energy load. This flexibility is essential for integrating intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar, whose variable output can destabilize a grid. By acting as a flexible backup, the Poznań plant helps ensure a stable power supply for the entire country, facilitating Poland's broader goal of generating at least 56% of its electricity from renewables by 2030.

This resilience is further enhanced by technology at the network level. The company is simultaneously implementing a "Smart District Heating Network" across the city. This involves a comprehensive digitalization of the infrastructure, using a web of sensors, remote control systems, and AI-powered optimization tools. These systems can predict heat and electricity demand in real-time, allowing for precise adjustments that minimize energy losses, optimize supply temperatures, and seamlessly integrate the various distributed energy sources, from geothermal wells to industrial waste heat.

A Breath of Fresh Air for Urban Wellness

For the residents of Poznań, the most tangible benefit of this technological transformation is a healthier living environment. The move away from coal combustion directly addresses one of Poland's most persistent public health challenges: air pollution. Coal burning is a primary source of harmful pollutants like particulate matter (PM2.5) and sulfur oxides (SOx), which contribute to respiratory illnesses and diminish overall quality of life. The 25% carbon reduction already achieved is just the beginning of a process that promises profoundly cleaner air for the city.

This focus on citizen well-being is a core driver of the project. Jacek Jaśkowiak, the Mayor of Poznań, highlighted this connection, stating, "For years, Poznań has focused on modern and responsible solutions that improve residents’ quality of life and protect the climate." He noted that through the collaboration with Veolia, the city is "creating the district heating system of the future, ensuring supply security, price stability, and cleaner air." This initiative demonstrates how large-scale infrastructure projects, when guided by a vision for sustainability, become powerful engines for urban wellness.

As Poland navigates its complex energy transition away from a coal-dominated past, the Poznań project stands out as a beacon of progress. It proves that with strategic investment, technological innovation, and strong public-private partnerships, it is possible to build an energy system that is not only clean and efficient but also resilient and fundamentally centered on the health and well-being of its citizens. The city's journey offers a powerful and optimistic lesson for urban centers across the globe striving to meet the climate and technological challenges of the 21st century.