At the beginning of 2025, Polish electricity consumers will face another change in their accounts. After an yearly break, the invoices will reappear power levywhich will be increased in all energy consumption groups. This means that many households will gotta prepare for higher bills, which, depending on the level of energy consumption, may even PLN 200 per year.
What is simply a power charge?
Capacity fee has been introduced by Energy Regulatory Office (URE) to guarantee the stableness of the Polish energy system. The main intent of this fee is to financing of the capacity reservewhich ensures that it does not run out of electricity at highest times. The funds from this fee support, among others, modernisation of existing power plants and the construction of fresh energy sources. This is crucial in the context of the country's increasing energy needs, peculiarly in the face of the transition to renewable energy sources (RES).
Increases in the power charge in 2025
Since January 2025 power levy increase in all energy consumption groups. These changes include households whose yearly energy consumption falls within the following ranges:
- Consumption below 500 kWh per year: PLN 2,86 per period (previously PLN 2,66)
- Consumption from 500 to 1200 kWh per year: PLN 6.86 per period (previously PLN 6.39)
- Consumption from 1200 to 2800 kWh per year: PLN 11.44 per period (previously PLN 10.64)
- Consumption above 2800 kWh per year: PLN 16.01 per period (previously PLN 14.90)
For an average household that uses 1200-2800 kWh per year, this means an additional cost of around PLN 137 per year. For farms with higher energy consumption, the power charge may even be PLN 200 per year.
Why was the power charge introduced?
The power charge is intended to ensuring the energy safety of Poland. The backing of the power reserve enables the stableness of energy supply to be maintained, peculiarly during increased demand, e.g. during winter. This is an crucial component of the energy strategy that allows network voltage management and safety of supply at hard times.
The increase in the capacity charge is straight linked to investments in the improvement of fresh energy sources and the modernisation of existing power plants, as well as the expanding maintenance costs of the transmission system.
Electrical energy account components
Electricity bills consist of respective elements that affect the final amount paid by the consumer. In addition to the power charge, the invoice will besides include:
- Cost of electricity consumed – depending on the amount of energy consumed.
- Distribution charges – related to the maintenance of the transmission network, accounted for by distribution strategy operators.
- Additional charges – e.g. transitional, RES charge, cogeneration and the mentioned power charge.
The power charge is 1 of the key components of the account as it affects the stableness of the full energy strategy and its amount depends on yearly energy consumption.
How much more will we pay?
The increase in the power levy can be seen especially in households with higher energy consumption. For example, families consuming to 2800 kWh per year They'll pay extra. approximately PLN 137 per year, which means a monthly increase of about PLN 11.44. For larger farms, consuming above 2800 kWh, yearly cost may increase by 200 zł, which is besides a noticeable change in home budgets.
Although the power charge is intended to support the Polish energy system, for many households it will be next costwhich will increase the burden on the home budget. Additional fees can become a challenge, especially in the context of general increases in the cost of surviving which affect Poles in 2025.
What are the alternatives?
Managing electricity costs has become 1 of the key topics for many households. In the face of increased fees, many Poles are looking for ways to energy savings. 1 solution may be to invest in photovoltaic panelswhich let the production of their own electricity. Renewable energy sources (RES) They are becoming increasingly popular as they can importantly reduce the cost of purchasing energy.
In addition, many people effort to adjust their energy consumption by choosing energy-efficient equipment and making changes in energy habits, specified as limiting the usage of air conditioning or electrical heating.
More here:
As of 1 January, the electricity charge came back. We'll pay more for energy
