Thursday, January 9, 2025, Solidarity trade unionists organize a large demonstration in Warsaw. The protest aims to object to decommissioning coal power plants in Poland and in defence Polish industry and cheap current. He will take part in the demonstration About 10,000 peopleand protesters will request continued exploitation of conventional energy sources, including coal power plantswhich they believe are essential to guarantee the country's energy stability.
Union Postulates: Current for Poles at an affordable price
The president Silesia-Dąbrowa Solidarity, Dominic Colorstresses that the closure of coal plants specified as Rybnik Power Plantwhose termination is scheduled for 2025 year, can lead to serious problems with the availability of electricity and its prices. Trade unions request that government decisions on energy transition be taken into account social agreementswhich supply employment stability in the energy sector and low energy prices for households.
“We are protesting due to the fact that we want to have a current in Polish homes that will available and cheap. Otherwise, we already have the most costly current in Europe, and the economical crisis only deepens our concerns," says Koloz in conversation with Polish Radio Katowice. Trade unions indicate that current energy policy in Poland, related to implementation Green Deal and energy transformation, does not warrant the country's energy stableness and security.
National mobilization: Unionists from different industries in 1 protest
To a protest organised by Solidarity another central trade unions, specified as OPZZ and Trade Union Forum. The colour indicates that the cooperation of these organisations is aimed at showing that trade unions in Poland can act together, regardless of the differences in their activities. Protesters argue not only the decommissioning of coal-fired power plants, but besides announce further action if the government does not discuss the improvement of the energy sector.
Obstacles in traffic in Warsaw: Closed streets and detours
Manifestation will take place in hours 12:00-14:00, and the convention participants will pass through the main streets of the capital. In connection with the protest, city authorities and police foretell serious traffic disturbance. During the demonstration hours, the following will be closed:
- Jerusalem Avenues from the roundabout de Gaulle to the roundabout Dmowski,
- Marszałkowska Street from Str. Piękna to St. Common.
Due to the suspension of wheel and rail traffic, Municipal Transport Board announced changes in the moving of public transport. Bus lines 107, 117, 127, 128, 131, 158, 171, 175, 507, 517, 520, 521 and 525; and Tram 4, 7, 9, 15, 16, 18, 22, 24 will run detours. Protesters who participate in the demonstration plan to peacefully express their discontent with the current energy policy of the government, nevertheless traffic disturbance may be felt by residents and tourists.
The function of coal in the Polish energy system
Trade unions point out that coal continues to play a key function in Polish energy system. Despite the increasing popularity of renewable energy sources, coal power plants inactive supply a large part of national electricity demand. Predicted decommissioning of coal power plants and the gradual transition to renewable energy sources can be a major challenge, especially in the face of increasing energy demand, and expensive energy prices in the European market.
Trade unions remind that Poland invested in coal technologies for many years, and energy transformation should take into account the request to guarantee alternative energy sourceswhich will be available, inexpensive and stable. Otherwise, they are afraid that home electricity bills will proceed to grow and the energy sector will become little competitive in the European market.
Government and manufacture organisations in consequence to the protest
The government, in consequence to the expanding tensions in the energy sector, announces the continuation of efforts to transform energy, but with preservation social guarantees for coal workers. Ministry of Energy ensures that within Energy Policy of Poland By 2040, she will effort diversify energy sourcesto meet the country's energy needs at the same time and to defend workers' interests.
Continued here:
Protest in Warsaw: Miners protest for inexpensive current and the future of Polish industry
