The Polish energy and heating sector is facing fundamental changes that are intended to end the era of bureaucratic ossification. The latest energy deregulation package aims to radically simplify the rules of operation of the energy market.
The need for change stems from a diagnosis of the current legal situation, as current regulations often act as a barrier rather than a support to the energy sector. Incomprehensible energy bills frustrate individual consumers, while rigid tariff systems and burdensome licensing requirements hamper the dynamics of business relationships. Most importantly, the current legal framework fails to provide sufficient incentives for the costly but necessary energy transformation.
The main goal of the new law will therefore be to "unfreeze" investment potential through deregulation. The project aims not only to make the system more transparent but, above all, to create flexible conditions for implementing green technologies. By removing unnecessary administrative barriers and clarifying the technical aspects of the sector's operation, the new law is intended to become the foundation of a modern, crisis-resistant, and user-friendly energy system in Poland.
Changes in the energy and heating sectors
New definitions and foundations of storage
The project will introduce a key expansion of the definition of energy storage, which will officially include heat and cold storage facilities. These will be defined as installations for storing thermal energy for later use. This solution is a key component enabling the heating sector to effectively utilize excess electricity resources and actively participate in power-to-heat systems. The introduction of specific legal standards will enable the full potential of integrating electricity grids with heating systems.
A breakthrough in industrial heating
Deregulation will significantly simplify the rules for the B2B sector. Generating heat for a single customer for technological processes will no longer require a license. Furthermore, tariffs for such heat will no longer be subject to approval by the President of the Energy Regulatory Office, provided that the companies have mutual consent and that this source does not supply residential premises.
Electrode boilers as a source of renewable energy
The project will promote the electrification of heating through new energy accounting rules. Heat generated in electric boilers will be considered renewable energy if it is supplied with electricity from renewable sources based on dedicated contracts, direct connection, or the average share of renewable energy in the grid. A mandatory purchase mechanism for heat generated in this way will also be introduced.
Modernization of support for cogeneration
The project to modernize support for cogeneration will introduce significant improvements aimed at streamlining investment processes in this sector. A key change will be enabling faster capacity expansion in a single location. The new regulations will allow the construction of additional units with a capacity of less than 1 MW after just three years from the date the previous installation was granted support. At the same time, the time to first generate energy in auction systems will be significantly extended. For gas-fired cogeneration units, this deadline will be 60 months instead of the current 48 months, while for units fueled by other fuels, this period will be extended to 72 months from the current 60 months. The changes will also enhance procedural flexibility, including the ability to perform a one-time update of data in winning bids, allowing investors to adjust, among other things, the installed capacity of an electric cogeneration unit.
Digitalization of communication and transparency of invoices
Electronic means of communication or customer portals will become the primary form of communication between energy companies and customers, although customers will retain the right to request paper invoices. Residential energy suppliers will be required to include a simple and understandable summary with their invoices, prepared outside the invoice itself, detailing the amounts payable for energy and its distribution.
Entry into force
The project is currently in the legislative process, and the final wording of the regulations may still change. Now is the time to analyze your investments, contracts, and settlement models in light of the upcoming regulations.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
The law is current as of March 5, 2026.
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