WARSAW, (Natural Energy News): Poland's largest coal producer, state-run PGG, is likely to announce the closure of several mines as part of a plan to cut coal production for days and restructure a mine, which is expected indicates protests by miners, Industry sources said.
Poland generates about 80% of electricity from coal and is the only member of the European Union that has not resolved to become carbon neutral by 2050.
For presenting the restructuring plan, PGG's management will hold a meeting with the representatives of the trade union on Tuesday.
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The proposal would include closing some mines and keeping only the most skilled people open and reducing salaries, two sources familiar with the situation said.
A source said that the resulting PGG annual production would be reduced by more than 10% but not more than half. Another person said the goal could be to completely eliminate coal mines in the Silesia coalfield by 2036.
The mines earmarked for closure will be taken over by the state company SRK, which will gradually shut them down. Miners will be offered heavy severance payments and those close to retirement will be provided paid leave.
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A PGG critique and representatives of trade unions declined to comment. Earlier this year, the unions criticized the government for stopping coal imports from Russia at a time of increasing reserves in domestic mines.
The plan to restructure the mines shortly after the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party ally Ambrej Duda won a primary vote in Poland, which was important for PiS to continue the reforms.
The ruling PiS party partially took power in 2015 over promises to retain coal. Since then it gradually closed many mines and withdrew from new coal projects, providing incentives for investment in solar energy.
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Government officials, however, have repeatedly said that coal will remain an important energy source for Poland for a long time.
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