Regional profile Silesia, Poland.
Date: 2024-09-09
Institutions: Directorate-General for Energy
Subjects: EU energy policy, EU initiative, EU regional policy, Poland, coalmining policy, energy transition, regional development

Regional Profile
Silesia, Poland

Initiative for coal regions in transition

2

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 
Directorate-General for Energy
Directorate B – Just Transition, Consumers, Energy Security, Efficiency and Innovation
Unit B.1 - Consumers, Local Initiatives, Just Transition

EC-ENER-JUST-TRANSITION@ec.europa.eu 

European Commission
B-1049 Brussels

ISBN: 978-92-68-18266-6 

doi: 10.2833/225888 

MJ-09-24-529-EN-N

Manuscript completed in December 2023

1st edition
This document should not be considered as representative of the European Commission’s official 
position. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2024

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SILESIA, POLAND - REGIONAL PROFILEINITIATIVE FOR COAL REGIONS IN TRANSITION3

R E G I O N A L   P R O F I L E

Silesia,
Poland

G E N E R A L   I N F O R M AT I O N

Country: Poland

Region Name: Silesia

Region NUTS2 code*: PL22 - Silesia

Region NUTS3 code: PL22A - Katowicki / 
PL228 Bytomski PL229 - Gliwicki / PL227 - 
Rybnicki PL22B - Sosnowiecki / PL22C - Tyski

Main urban centres in the region1: 

Katowice – 281,418 / Częstochowa – 
209,395

Sosnowiec – 190,406/ Gliwice – 171,896

Bielsko-Biała – 167,509 / Zabrze – 
156,082 

Bytom – 150,594/Rybnik – 132,266

Ruda Śląska – 132,040 / Tychy – 123,562

*NUTS: Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics

1.	 Polish	Statistical	Office.	Population.	Size	and	structure	and	vital	statistics	in	Poland	by	territorial	division	in	2022.	As	of	30	June	2022:	https://stat.gov.pl/en/topics/population/

population/population-size-and-structure-and-vital-statistics-in-poland-by-territorial-division-in-2022-as-of-30-june-2022,3,32.html#

SILESIA, POLAND - REGIONAL PROFILEINITIATIVE FOR COAL REGIONS IN TRANSITIONRegional socio-economic profile

General description of the socio-
economic profile of the region

Silesia	is	located	in	south-western	Poland,	bordering	with	
Slovakia	and	Czechia.	With	over	4.4	million	inhabitants,	the	
Silesian	Voivodeship	is	the	most	populated	and	urbanised	
region	in	Poland;	76%	of	its	population	lives	in	cities,	with	
its	two	most	populous	cities	having	a	population	density	
above	3000	people/km.1	It	is	also	the	biggest	coal	mining	
region	in	the	EU	(in	terms	of	number	of	coal	mines,	coal	
production	and	coal	mining	employment),	with	an	economy	
that	is	primarily	based	on	fossil	fuels	and	energy	intensive	
industries.	Compared	with	other	Voivodeships,	Silesia	is	
the	third	largest	producer	and	second	largest	consumer	of	
electricity	in	Poland2. 

Regional coal industry profile

Coal mining
Type	of	coal

Type	of	coal	extraction

Number	of	operating	coal	mines

Production	of	coal 
[Mt	annual]

Main (largest) coal mining enterprises

Name

Ownership

KWK	Sośnica

KWK	Staszic-Wujek

KWK	Mysłowice-Wesoła

KWK	Ruda

KWK	ROW

KWK	Bolesław	Śmiały

KWK	Piast-Ziemowit

KWK	Borynia-Zofiówka-Bzie

KWK	Budryk

KWK	Knurów-Szczygłowice

KWK	Pniówek

ZG	Sobieski

KWK	Bobrek-Piekary

PG	Silesia

Polska	Grupa	Górnicza	(PGG)

Jastrzębska	Spółka	Węglowa

Tauron	Wydobycie

Węglokoks

Private

4

The	region	comprises	of	eight	NUTS-3	subregions,	of	
which	six	are	notably	affected	by	coal	mining	and	related	
industries.	The	communities	where	most	miners	live	are	
in	the	central	and	western	subregions,	namely	Katowicki,	
Bytomski,	Gliwicki,	Rybnicki,	Sosnowiecki,	and	Tyski.	While	
coal	mining	still	plays	an	important	role	in	the	regional	
economy,	its	gradual	decline	in	recent	years	has	been	
marked	by	falling	production	volumes	and	productivity,	
as	well	as	low	profitability.	The	share	of	mining	in	gross	
value	added	of	the	Silesian	Voivodeship	decreased	from	
9.7%	in	2000	to	6.2%	in	2019.	Nonetheless,	the	sector	
still	employed	72,051	in	2021,	representing	4.3%	of	
total	employment	in	the	region.	It	is	expected	that	the	
employment	in	coal	mining	will	be	reduced	by	12,300	
people	by	2030	and	by	48,700	in	2050.3

Hard	coal

Underground	mining

16

54,4	Mt4

Year of prod. 
data:
2021

Number of 
employees
1,838

Year of employee 
data
2021

4,383

3,079

5,371

10,995

1,663

6,576

8,471	

4,909

10,541

7,995

2,450

1,921

1,430

2021

2021

2021

2021

2021

2021

2021

2021

2021

2021

2021

2021

2021

1.	 Polish	Statistical	Office.	Population.	Size	and	structure	and	vital	statistics	in	Poland	by	territorial	division	in	2022.	As	of	30	June	2022:	https://stat.gov.pl/en/topics/population/population/population-

2.	

size-and-structure-and-vital-statistics-in-poland-by-territorial-division-in-2022-as-of-30-june-2022,3,32.html#.
‘Territorial	Just	Transition	Plan	of	Silesian	Voivodeship	by	2030’	approved	by	EC.	Appendix	1	to	the	Resolution	of	the	Voivodship	Board	(21/12/2022).	Available	at:	https://transformacja.slaskie.pl/
images/Dokumenty/1671795836_projekt_terytorialny_.2022%20-%20Copy%202.pdf.
Ibidem.

3.	
4.	 Kapetaki,	Z.,	Alves	Dias,	P.,	Conte,	A.,	Kanellopoulos,	K.,	Mandras,	G.,	Medarac.	H.,	Nijs,	W.,	Ruiz,	P.,	Somers,	J.,	Tarvydas,	D.,	Recent	trends	in	EU	coal,	peat	and	oil	shale	regions,	EUR	30618	EN,	
Publications	Office	of	the	European	Union,	Luxembourg,	2021,	978-92-76-30987-1,	doi:10.2760/510714,	JRC123508:	https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC123508

SILESIA, POLAND - REGIONAL PROFILEINITIATIVE FOR COAL REGIONS IN TRANSITIONZG	Eko-Plus

ZG	Siltech

Private

Private

Total	level	of	employment	in	coal	mining	(in	the	region)

Regional coal power plant profile

Coal power plants
Number	of	coal	power	plants

Installed	capacity	[MW]

Share	of	coal	in	regional	power	generation	mix	[%]

Main (largest) coal power plant operators

Name

Coal	Power	Plant	Rybnik	

Coal	Power	Plant	Łaziska

Coal	Power	Plant	Łagisza

Ownership 
(e.g. public or private)
PGE	GiEK	S.A.

Tauron	Wytwarzanie	S.A.

Tauron	Wytwarzanie	S.A.

Coal	Power	Plant	Jaworzno	II

Tauron	Wytwarzanie	S.A.

Coal	Power	Plant	Jaworzno	III

Tauron	Wytwarzanie	S.A.

5

333

96

72,0515 

5

6,1316 

85%	share	in	
electricity	production	
(2017)7

75,4%	in	heat	
production	(2019)8. 

Number of 
employees
528

356

215

618

2021

2021

2021	

Year of data
2022

2021

2017	and	2019

Year of employee 
data

2019

Total level of employment in coal power plants (in the region)

1,7179 

2019

5.	 Charkowska,	Z.,	Przedlacki,	W.,	Balcerowski,	J.,	Hetmański	M.,	Swoczyna	B.	(2023)	Baza	danych	kopalni	węgla	kamiennego	i	brunatnego	w	Polsce.	Instrat.	https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/

d/15MQg9rzPBecd3c0T-RsH0gmVDCd0_6DJMXckzc0vt58/edit#gid=234679765

6.	 Kapetaki,	Z.,	Alves	Dias,	P.,	Conte,	A.,	Kanellopoulos,	K.,	Mandras,	G.,	Medarac.	H.,	Nijs,	W.,	Ruiz,	P.,	Somers,	J.,	Tarvydas,	D.,	Recent	trends	in	EU	coal,	peat	and	oil	shale	regions,	EUR	30618	EN,	
Publications	Office	of	the	European	Union,	Luxembourg,	2021,	978-92-76-30987-1,	doi:10.2760/510714,	JRC123508:	https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC123508
7.	 Energy	balance	of	Silesian	Voivodeship	until	2030	with	perspective	until	2050	in	the	context	of	planned	energy	transition	(Presentation	of	Romuald	Meyer	during	the	convention	of	mayors	and	

commune	heads	on	09.01.2020).	Available	at:	https://www.pgksa.pl/04_aktualnosci/rok_2020/AKT_0585/prezentacja.pdf

8.	 Development	potentials	and	challenges	Silesian	Voivodeship	in	context	of	just	transition,	Diagnostic	attachment	to	Territorial	Just	Transition	Plan	(02.2021).	Available	at:	https://

www.google.pl/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiK2dOVh-v-AhXjsIsKHZRuBnwQFnoECA8QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftransformacja.slaskie.
pl%2Fdownload%2Fcontent%2F192&usg=AOvVaw2yNtWQYTOu2ZjvBoN193WC

9.	 Territorial	Just	Transition	Plan	of	Silesian	Voivodeship	by	2030’	approved	by	EC.	Appendix	1	to	the	Resolution	of	the	Voivodship	Board	(21/12/2022).

Regional and local transition 
strategies and plans

Status and timeline of coal 
transition / phase-out

Strategies	and	plans	for	energy,	climate	and	air	quality	
have	been	developed	at	the	national	and	regional	levels	
(see	the	section	on	current	regional	strategies	below).	The	
Energy Policy of Poland until 2040	(PEP	2040),	adopted	
by	the	Council	of	Ministers	in	February	2021,	envisages	
that	coal	will	account	for	56%	of	electricity	production 
by	2030.	The	Policy	also	anticipates	moving	away	from	
burning	coal	in	households	in	cities	by	2030,	and	in	rural	
areas	by	2040.10 

The Territorial Just Transition Plan for Silesia	(2022)	
foresees	limiting	the	role	of	hard	coal	in	the	energy	sector	
and	the	region’s	economy	by	2030.	In	four	mines,	mining	
will	be	ended	or	significantly	reduced	by	2030.	Three	coal-
fired	power	plants	are	also	planned	to	be	shut	down.	This	
aligns	with	Social	Contract	for	the	mines	of	KWK	Bolesław	
Śmiały,	KWK	Sośnica,	KWK	Staszic-Wujek	and	KWK	
Ruda,	which	contains	agreement	for	planned	cessation	or	
restructuring	of	coal	production	by	2030.	This	contract	does	
not,	however,	cover	mines	run	by	private	entities	operating	
in	the	Silesian	Voivodeship:	ZG	SIltech,	ZG	Eko-Plus	and	
KWK	Silesia,	which	have	mining	concessions	until	2023,	
2043	and	2044,	respectively11.	Decarbonisation	measures	
will	also	encompass	other	economic	sectors,	including	
replacement	of	the	public	transport	fleet	by	zero-emissions	
vehicles	and	support	for	investments	in	prosumer	energy.

10.	 Energy	Policy	of	Poland	until	2040:	https://www.gov.pl/web/climate/energy-policy-of-

poland-until-2040-epp2040

11.	 Territorial	Just	Transition	Plan	of	Silesian	Voivodeship	by	2030’	approved	by	EC.	

Appendix	1	to	the	Resolution	of	the	Voivodship	Board	(21/12/2022).	Available	
at: https://transformacja.slaskie.pl/images/Dokumenty/1671795836_projekt_
terytorialny_.2022%20-%20Copy%202.pdf.

SILESIA, POLAND - REGIONAL PROFILEINITIATIVE FOR COAL REGIONS IN TRANSITIONTwo	power	units	(1	and	2)	at	the	Rybnik	coal	power	plant	
were	shut	down	in	202112	as	they	did	not	meet	new	
emissions	standards.	Of	the	remaining	six	units	(units	3	-	
8,	with	a	total	capacity	of	1	350	MW),	the	operator	(PGE	
GiEK	S.A.)	had	planned	to	close	two	power	units	(3	and	4)	
by	the	end	of	2022	but	this	was	extended	to	the	end	of	
2023.	The	technical	outlook	for	the	operation	of	units	5-8	
currently	has	been	defined	until	2030.	In	the	case	of	the	
coal	power	plants	owned	by	Tauron	Wytwarzanie	S.A.,	the	
owner	cannot	provide	a	detailed	plan	for	shutting	down	
coal units.

Current	regional	strategies	and	plans	for	transition	
(including	for	economic	development,	diversification,	and	
decarbonisation)

The Just Transition Fund programme for Silesian 
Voivodeship	earmarks	€2.4	billion	for	supporting	green	
transition	in	Silesia	and	Western	Małopolska.	The	Just	
Transition	Fund	will	specifically	support	the	local	economic	
diversification	by	investing	in	small	and	medium-sized	
businesses	(SMEs)	working	on	renewable	energy,	clean	
mobility	and	other	green	sectors.	To	restore	environmental	
damage	from	the	mining	activities,	the	JTF	will	also	invest	
in	rehabilitation	and	decontamination	of	2,800	ha	of	
post	mining	areas	in	line	with	the	polluter	pays	principle.	
The	fund	will	also	invest	in	the	energy	efficiency	of	public	
buildings	and	of	housing,	including	by	supporting	home	
insulation,	rooftop	solar	installations,	and	heat	pumps.	
Finally,	the	JTF	will	also	invest	in	the	training	of	100,000	
workers	many	of	whom	currently	work	in	the	fossil	fuels	
sector	and	equip	them	with	new	skills	to	work	in	renewable	
and	climate	neutral	industries.	27,000	new	jobs	are	
expected	to	be	created	in	Silesia	directly	as	a	result	of	the	
just	transition	plan	measures.13

The Strategy for the Development of the Silesian 
Voivodeship “Silesia 2030” – Green Silesia14 aims for 
the	Silesian	Voivodeship	to	become	a	modern	European	
region	with	a	competitive	economy,	being	the	result	of	
the	responsible	transformation,	ensuring	development	
opportunities	for	its	inhabitants	and	offering	a	high	quality	
of	life	in	a	clean	environment.

The Regional Innovation Strategy for Silesia 2030 
focuses	on	the	energy,	medicine,	information	and	
communication	technologies,	green	economy	and	
emerging	industries	(e.g.	eco-industries,	creative	industries,	
maritime	industry,	mobility	industries),	mobile	services,	and	
personalised	medicine.

The	general	objective	of	the	“Low-Emission Economy 
Policy for the Silesian Voivodeship until 2030”15 is to 

12.	 Website	of	PGE	GiEK	S.A.	(19.08.2021)	https://pgegiek.pl/aktualnosci/dwa-bloki-w-

elektrowni-rybnik-wylaczone-z-eksploatacji	(last	accessed	on	29/05/2023).

13.  https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7413
14.	 The	Strategy	for	the	Development	of	the	Silesian	Voivodeship	“Silesia	2030”	–	Green	
Silesia: https://bip.slaskie.pl/wojewodztwo/programy_plany_i_strategie_wojewodztwa/
strategia_rozwoju/strategia-rozwoju-wojewodztwa.html

15.	 Low-Emission	Economy	Policy	for	the	Silesian	Voivodeship	until	2030:	https://www.

slaskie.pl/content/gospodarka-niskoemisyjna

6

increase	the	energy	security	of	the	Silesian	Voivodeship	
and	ensure	energy	efficiency,	while	limiting	the	negative	
impact	of	human	activity	on	air	quality.	This	policy	has	four	
specific	goals:

 y high	energy	standard	of	residential	buildings	and	

public	buildings;

 y energy	security	of	the	Silesian	Voivodeship	and	the	

development	of	the	clean	energy	sector;

 y an	ecological	system	of	collective	and	individual	

transport;

 y proactive	management	in	the	area	of	air	quality.

The	“Regional Revitalisation Policy for the Silesian 
Voivodeship”16aims	to	support	social	inclusion	processes,	
activating	the	inhabitants	of	the	region	and	improving	their	
living	conditions	with	the	use	of	tools	for	the	development	
of	entrepreneurship,	improvement	of	the	quality	of	
the	environment	and	adaptation	of	the	living	space	to	
residents’	needs.

“Social Policy Strategy of the Silesian Voivodeship 
for the year 2020-2030”17	sets	directions	for	the	
development	of	regional	social	policy	until	2030.	It	is	an	
extensive	diagnosis	of	the	socio-economic	situation	of	
the	Silesian	Voivodeship,	its	mission,	strategic	goals	and	
directions	of	activities.

Principal actors in the development 
and implementation of transition 
strategies and plans 

At national level:	the	Ministry	of	Climate	and	
Environment,	the	Ministry	of	Development	Funds	and	
Regional	Policy,	The	Ministry	of	Family	and	Social	Policy,	
and	relevant	state	agencies

At regional level:

 y Regional	governments:	Marshall	Office	of	the	Silesian	

Voivodeship,	

 y Local	government	administration	and	associations	of	
local	governments:	Regional	Council	for	the	initiative	
of	mining	regions	in	the	Śląskie	Voivodeship,	Upper	
Silesian	and	Zagłębie	Metropolis,	Association	of	
Municipalities	and	Districts	of	the	Central	Sub-
region	of	the	Śląskie	Voivodeship,	Association	of	
Mining	Municipalities	in	Poland,	Silesian	Association	
of	Municipalities	and	Districts,	Association	of	
Municipalities	and	Districts	of	the	Western	Sub-region	
of	the	Śląskie	Voivodeship

16.	 Regional	Revitalization	Policy	for	the	Silesian	Voivodeship:	https://www.slaskie.pl/content/

regionalna-polityka-rewitalizacji

17.	 Social	Policy	Strategy	of	the	Silesian	Voivodeship	for	the	year	2020-2030:	https://www.

slaskie.pl/content/strategia-polityki-spolecznej-wojewodztwa-slaskiego

SILESIA, POLAND - REGIONAL PROFILEINITIATIVE FOR COAL REGIONS IN TRANSITION7

to	support	and	improve	the	management	of	the	region’s	
socio-economic	transformation	process.	Its	main	purpose	
is	collecting	and	disseminating	knowledge	about	the	
socio-economic	processes	taking	place	in	the	region,	
effective	transformation	activities	and	tools,	and	innovative	
technologies	supporting	the	process	of	diversification	
towards	a	green	and	digital	economy.	Furthermore,	the	
ROTP	aims	to	promote	professional	reorientation	in	the	
region	by	initiating	cooperation	between	local	partners	
from	areas	undergoing	the	transition,	research	and	
development	institutes,	and	business	entities.	In	addition,	it	
seeks	to	increase	the	engagement	of	regional	stakeholders	
and	ensure	a	smooth	implementation	of	the	Just	Transition	
Fund19.

Notable planned transition-related 
initiatives and projects

Sixteen strategic projects	considered	essential	for	the	
effectiveness	of	the	transition	process	in	Silesia	by	2030	
were	identified	and	will	be	financed	through	the	Just	
Transition	Fund20.	Among	others,	these	include:

 y Development	of	post-mining	area	management	
system	in	the	Silesia	Voivodeship	“OPI-TPP	3.0”

 y IT	HUB	Gliwice	–	a	modern	business	space	and	labs	

for	start-ups

 y The	Quarter	of	New	Technologies	–	Katowice	Gaming	

Hub-	an	innovation	lab	for	new	technologies

 y The	IT	Transition	Processes	Monitoring	System	–	the	

big	data	centre	for	transition

 y The	Regional	Observatory	of	the	Transition	Process	

2.0.

 y Coal	utilities:	all	coal	power	plants	and	coal	mining	

listed	in	the	above	sections;		

 y Trade	unions	(NSZZ	Solidarność	Śląsko-Dąbrowskiego	

Region)	and	employers’	organisations:	Silesian	
Employers’	Association	Lewiatan,	Association	of	
Entrepreneurs	and	Employers	Silesia;	

 y Regional	Development	Agency	in	Katowice;

 y Regional	and	local	Chambers	of	Commerce:	Katowice	

(regional),	Racibórz,	Żory	and	others;

 y National,	local	and	regional	NGOs:	Polish	Green	
Network,	BoMiasto	Association,	Silesian	Climate	
Movement,	Green	Imielin	Association,	The	Borders	of	
Nature	Association,	Our	Earth	Association;

 y Regional	think	tanks:	Think	Tank	Silesia,	“Pro	Silesia”	

Association

Regional and local transition 
projects and initiatives

Notable ongoing and recent transition-
related initiatives and projects

An	important	regional	initiative	has	been	establishment	of	
Regional Council for the Just Transition of the Silesian 
Voivodeship	in	2019.	The	Council	has	an	advisory	and	
coordinating	function	and	is	involved	in	supporting	both	
the	Voivodeship	Board	and	the	Monitoring	Committee	of	
the	“European	Funds	for	Silesia	2021-2027”	program.	
The	Council	has	currently	63	stakeholders	who	represent	
all	levels	of	government	(including	national),	academia,	
business,	trade	union	and	civil	society..

The	World	Bank	project	“Supporting Polish Coal 
Regions in Transition”	was	implemented	between	
January	2021	and	December	2022.	The	project	provided	
recommendations	on	the	proposed	processes	and	
institutions	(including	the	use	of	special	operators	for	
site-specific	closures)	for	improving	coordination	of	the	
implementation	of	the	transition	to	a	low-carbon	economy.	
In	the	framework	of	the	project,	an	assessment	of	the	
regional	and	local	labour	market	was	developed,	where	
miners’	preferences	and	the	Silesian	labour	market	capacity	
were	examined	to	build	public	knowledge	on	the	Just	
Transition’s	challenges18.

In	April	2022,	the	Marshall	Office	initiated	a	project	
titled	the	“Regional Observatory of the Transition 
Process (ROTP)”	in	cooperation	with	the	Central	Mining	
Institute,	the	Mining	Chamber	of	Trade	and	Industry	and	
the	Miners’	Trade	Union	in	Poland.	The	project	is	designed	

18.	 START	application	submitted	by	Marshall	Office	of	the	Silesian	Voivodeship.

19.	 Ibidem.
20.	 Ibidem.

SILESIA, POLAND - REGIONAL PROFILEINITIATIVE FOR COAL REGIONS IN TRANSITIONRegional and local transition 
challenges and opportunities

Nature and scale of key transition challenges

The	Silesian	Voivodeship	is	the	most	coal-dependent	region	
in	the	EU	with	mining	jobs	being	characterised	by	high	
geographical	concentration.	Mines	and	other	enterprises	
related	to	the	coal	industry	are	located	close	to	city	centres	
and	directly	at	housing	estates.	Restructuring	processes	
which	have	been	taking	place	for	30	years	have	not	
significantly	changed	the	existing	economic	structure,	which	
is	still	characterised	by	a	significant	share	of	the	mining	
sector	and	high	local	dependence	of	labour	markets	on	
traditional	industries.	In	addition,	the	region	is	characterised	
by	the	highest	consumption	of	hard	coal	for	household	
heating	purposes21.

A	significant	problem	for	the	regional	labour	market	is	the	
low	professional	activity	of	residents,	including	women	
(in	2019,	the	number	of	economically	inactive	people	in	
the	region	amounted	to	about	1,7	million,	which	was	the	
second	highest	after	the	Masovian	Voivodeship),	and	high	
territorial	differentiation	of	unemployment22.	The	labour	
market	is	negatively	affected	by	net	outward	migration	
and	the	related	strong	depopulation	processes,	together	
with	an	ageing	population.	The	outflow	of	human	capital,	
and	intellectual	capital,	in	the	form	of	innovative	start-
ups,	investors	and	business	concepts	to	other	regions	
and	countries,	is	a	phenomenon	that	has	been	observed	
for	a	long	time.	According	to	the	forecasts	of	the	Central	
Statistical	Office,	by	2050,	the	population	in	the	Silesian	
Voivodeship	will	decrease	by	18.8%	compared	to	2018	(i.e.	
by	over	850	thousand	people).	Due	to	the	ending	of	mining	
activity,	the	transformation	process	will	require	creating	
a	significant	number	of	new	jobs	(almost	37	thousand	by	
2030),	alongside	retraining	thousands	of	employees,	filling	
the	competence	gap	and	changing	education	profiles,	as	
well	as	stopping	the	outflow	of	the	region’s	most	educated	
and	creative	inhabitants23.

The	Silesian	Voivodeship	is	also	characterised	by	the	
highest	percentage	of	degraded	areas	in	the	country,	
requiring	rehabilitation	and	revitalisation.	This	results	in	
the	region	being	perceived	as	a	problem	area	and	an	
unattractive	place	to	live	in	and	work.	In	addition,	local	
governments	will	experience	a	decrease	in	income	to	their	
budgets	as	the	mining	activities	cease	playing	a	significant	
role	in	the	region24.

21.	 Territorial	Just	Transition	Plan	of	Silesian	Voivodeship	by	2030’	approved	by	EC.	

Appendix	1	to	the	Resolution	of	the	Voivodship	Board	(21/12/2022).	Available	
at: https://transformacja.slaskie.pl/images/Dokumenty/1671795836_projekt_
terytorialny_.2022%20-%20Copy%202.pdf.

22.	 Ibidem.
23.	 Ibidem.
24.	 Ibidem.

8

Nature and scale of key 
transition opportunities

The	Silesian	Voivodeship	is	one	of	the	Polish	regions	
with	the	greatest	economic	potential	and	has	the	second	
highest	GDP	in	Poland	after	Warszawski	Stołeczny	region.	
Silesia	is	also	one	of	Poland’s	important	research	and	
development	centres,	which	includes	scientific	and	research	
units	and	institutes	and	universities	conducting	research	
independently	or	in	cooperation	with	businesses,	with	
a	primary	focus	on	environmental	protection,	energy,	
automation,	electronics	and	construction.

The	automotive	sector	is	firmly	rooted	in	the	structure	
of	the	economy	of	the	Silesian	Voivodeship	and	can	be	
considered	a	key	transition	opportunity	for	this	region.	The	
automotive	industry	also	plays	an	increasingly	important	
role	in	the	smart	specialisation	of	the	region,	evolving	
towards	the	production	of	cars	and	components	for	
hybrid	and	electric	cars.	Using	the	network	of	connections	
between	companies	present	in	the	region,	the	available	
human	capital	with	many	years	of	industry	experience,	
the	voivodeship	will	increasingly	focus	on	such	areas	
as	autonomous	and	semi-autonomous	driving	systems,	
digitisation	of	vehicles	(touch	screens,	voice	assistants),	
security	systems	(including	traffic	monitoring	systems	or	
vehicle	surroundings)	or	keyless	vehicle	operating	systems.	
Smart	Automotive	will	be	an	area	of	synergy	between	
traditional	industry	and	future	technologies	-	a	combination	
of	traditional	automotive	and	IT	technologies.25

The	Silesian	Voivodeship	has	also	significant	potential	in	
the	field	of	green	economy	activities,	including,	among	
others,	great	potential	for	the	location	of	photovoltaic	
farms,	which	can	be	a	way	for	the	development	of	part	
of	the	post-mining	areas,	and	the	region	is	also	one	of	
the	production	leaders	of	components	for	PV	modules	in	
Poland.	The	strong	industrial	character	of	the	economy	of	
the	Silesian	Voivodeship	makes	the	region	the	right	place	
to	develop	and	implement	new	material	solutions,	related	
to	the	ease	of	recovering	materials	at	the	end	of	the	life	
cycle	of	the	products26.

The	Silesian	Voivodeship,	despite	its	relatively	small	area,	
is	characterised	by	a	large	diversity	of	natural	and	cultural	
values,	making	it	an	interesting	tourism	destination27. 

25.	 News	on	Silesian	Centre	of	Services	for	Investors	and	Exporters:	https://invest-in-silesia.pl/

content/branza-automotive-w-wojewodztwie-slaskim?fbclid=IwAR1t1us1aKQc9GNID6C
nt-GMKto5Iz2uPOaXEBmPQgUNz_-BEKoc8Lc73ZA

26.	 Potential	and	development	challenges	of	Silesian	Voivodeship	in	context	
of	just	transition.	Katowice,	2022:	https://transformacja.slaskie.pl/images/
Dokumenty/1646921120_za_C5_82.-2-potencja-c5-82y-i-wyzwania-rozwojowe.pdf

27.	 Ibidem.

SILESIA, POLAND - REGIONAL PROFILEINITIATIVE FOR COAL REGIONS IN TRANSITION9

Sources

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kamiennego	i	brunatnego	w	Polsce.	Instrat.	https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15MQg9rzPBecd3c0T-
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 y European	Funds	for	Silesia	2021-2027	programme:	https://funduszeue.slaskie.pl/czytaj/Podstawowe_informacje_

 y Kapetaki,	Z.,	Alves	Dias,	P.,	Conte,	A.,	Kanellopoulos,	K.,	Mandras,	G.,	Medarac.	H.,	Nijs,	W.,	Ruiz,	P.,	Somers,	J.,	Tarvydas,	
D.,	Recent	trends	in	EU	coal,	peat	and	oil	shale	regions,	EUR	30618	EN,	Publications	Office	of	the	European	Union,	
Luxembourg,	2021,	978-92-76-30987-1,	doi:10.2760/510714,	JRC123508:	https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/
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niskoemisyjna 

 y Polish	Statistical	Office.	Population.	Size	and	structure	and	vital	statistics	in	Poland	by	territorial	division	in	2022.	As	of	30	
June	2022:	https://stat.gov.pl/en/topics/population/population/population-size-and-structure-and-vital-statistics-in-poland-
by-territorial-division-in-2022-as-of-30-june-2022,3,32.html#.

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transformacja.slaskie.pl/images/Dokumenty/1646921120_za_C5_82.-2-potencja-c5-82y-i-wyzwania-rozwojowe.pdf 

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inteligentne_slaskie 

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po-raz-kolejny-w-prestizowym-raporcie-fdi-intelligence

 y Silesian	Centre	of	Services	for	Investors	and	Exporters:	https://invest-in-silesia.pl/content/branza-automotive-w-
wojewodztwie-slaskim?fbclid=IwAR1t1us1aKQc9GNID6Cnt-GMKto5Iz2uPOaXEBmPQgUNz_-BEKoc8Lc73ZA 

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spolecznej-wojewodztwa-slaskiego 

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at: https://www.are.waw.pl/badania-statystyczne/wynikowe-informacje-statystyczne/publikacje-roczne#statystyka-
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wojewodztwo/programy_plany_i_strategie_wojewodztwa/strategia_rozwoju/strategia-rozwoju-wojewodztwa.html 

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Voivodship	Board	(21/12/2022).	Available	at:	https://transformacja.slaskie.pl/images/Dokumenty/1671795836_projekt_
terytorialny_.2022%20-%20Copy%202.pdf. 

SILESIA, POLAND - REGIONAL PROFILEINITIATIVE FOR COAL REGIONS IN TRANSITIONGETTING IN TOUCH WITH THE EU

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Initiative for coal
regions in transition

The	Initiative	for	coal	regions	in	transition	
is	led	by	the	European	Commission.

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 secretariat@coalregions.eu

 @Energy4Europe