Due to the situation described above, the purchase price of coal has increased, depending on its origin (domestic or foreign) and place of purchase (directly from a mine or on the exchange), by approximately 100% to as much as 300–400%. ZEC is currently conducting final discussions with Polska Grupa Górnicza S.A. (PGG) and is close to contracting the required quantity of Polish coal. Efforts are also underway to obtain the lowest possible purchase price for coal, which may increase by approximately 100%. This will raise expenditure allocated for this purpose from approximately PLN 5.5 million in 2021 to more than PLN 10.2 million in 2022. PGG has not yet announced coal purchase prices for 2023, but a significant increase is expected.
Another factor having a significant impact on the price of produced heat is the cost of purchasing CO2 emission allowances, which has increased dramatically—more than fivefold—over the past three years. This has increased the costs incurred for this purpose from PLN 3.8 million in 2020 to PLN 8.6 million in 2021. The projected costs for 2022 will exceed PLN 10.5 million. Due to price increases independent of ZEC, and in order to maintain the continuity of services, it is necessary to adjust the prices of district heating to reflect the existing increase in costs.
It should be added that the price of district heating is under the strict control of the state—it is regulated and approved by the President of the Energy Regulatory Office.
When producing heat, ZEC Bolesławiec complies with strict EU environmental protection standards. Flue gases are discharged in an integrated and controlled manner using a two-stage dust-removal system consisting of multicyclones and a new-generation NG-1 cyclone battery. Such standards are not met by dispersed low-emission heat sources, such as individual furnaces or boiler rooms, where low-quality fuels—and often waste—may be burned, which is the main cause of air pollution.
Given the recent turmoil in the gas market and gas prices, the district heating offered by ZEC is one of the cheapest, safest and most convenient forms of heating. The price per 1 GJ (fixed charge plus variable charge), according to the tariff adopted by the Energy Regulatory Office, is among the lowest in the region. Using ZEC heat also eliminates, for example, the need to have one’s heating equipment inspected and to purchase fuel. District heating can be used whenever it is needed.
ZEC has appealed to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland for support for urgent measures beneficial to district-heating customers, similar to those introduced for electricity and gas customers. At present, support for consumers meeting their heating needs is differentiated depending on whether they meet those needs independently (using gas or electricity) or through district heating networks.
The Ministry of Climate and Environment has also called at the European Union level for a comprehensive reform of the CO2 emissions trading system, aimed at suspending, reducing or stabilizing the prices of emission allowances—for example, by excluding financial institutions, the so-called “speculators,” from allowance trading and allowing only entities covered by the system to purchase allowances. Adopting such a solution would make the purchase price of CO2 emission allowances more predictable and stable, which is a very important element in planning the investment process.
In order to diversify its heat sources, ZEC has prepared a Feasibility Study for the redevelopment of the city’s heating system, with the possibility of using cogeneration (thermal energy and electricity from natural gas). It has also asked the Polish Geological Institute to issue an opinion on the possible occurrence of geothermal waters in Bolesławiec and the possibility of using them for heating purposes. The opinion received describes the geothermal potential as moderately positive. It should be added that thermal energy obtained from geothermal sources is one of the most stable renewable energy sources.
