The end of the government's protective shield. Bills are rising by up to 30 percent.

• In Ruda Śląska, the state-owned company Węglokoks is introducing heat price increases that could reach up to 90 percent.
• The Ministry of Climate and Environment is constantly monitoring this situation and working on solutions that could mitigate these effects, especially for those most affected and with the lowest incomes.
• - If this is what a "stabilized market" looks like, then we really have reasons to be concerned - said Arkadiusz Chęciński, co-chairman of the KWRiST and mayor of Sosnowiec.

The next meeting of the Joint Government and Local Government Commission (held on July 16) yielded no results. Ministries are shifting blame among themselves and offering no specifics.

Arkadiusz Chęciński, co-chair of the KWRiST and the mayor of Sosnowiec, cited the response of the Ministry of Climate and Environment regarding support for electricity prices for local governments and support for heat consumers in 2025.

One of the key parts of the letter stated that the market had stabilized and that continuing the costly system of subsidies for heat producers – regardless of the income situation of consumers – was neither economically nor socially justified.

"I hope this is just a media narrative and not the government's actual position," he said. He pointed to the example of Ruda Śląska, where the state-owned company Węglokoks is introducing price increases that could reach up to 90 percent.

If this is what a "stabilized market" looks like, we really have reason to worry. (...) This isn't just a media sensation anymore , but specific data that reaches the public—and which they won't like.

- he concluded.

Stanisław Bodys from the Union of Polish Towns appealed to the Ministry of Climate and Environment to monitor the situation regarding heat production, especially in small, local boiler rooms. In his opinion, "this phenomenon could soon cause serious social discontent – especially in the summer, when people start receiving new fee forecasts."

The announcement of the end of the protective shield was made relatively late. As a result, some utilities—especially those that provide heat using gas—did not manage to conclude favorable agreements with gas suppliers. The situation in coal-fired boiler plants is also unstable , but it seems particularly difficult for gas-fired heating plants. Gas is purchased on the stock exchange, and its price is subject to significant fluctuations. It's difficult to expect gas companies to sell it cheaply, given that they can achieve significantly higher profits.

- he said.

He also assured that the Union, in cooperation with other local government corporations, will provide the ministry with all the necessary data.

Andrzej Budowski, deputy director of the Department of Heating Transformation and Energy Efficiency at the Ministry of Culture and Environment, assured that the ministry is constantly monitoring the situation and working on solutions that could mitigate these effects, especially for those most affected and with the lowest incomes.

While even a 5 or 10 percent price increase can be painful, we estimate that about half of Poland's heating systems will not experience any price increases at all. However, about one in ten households can expect price increases of 20-30 percent , and in some cases—like in Ruda Śląska—they will be even higher. That's why we closely monitor such situations and are in constant contact with the heating industry.

- he said.

He also explained that the previous price freeze mechanism was temporary and related to the energy crisis and the sharp rise in commodity prices . He believes the situation is now stabilizing, with fuel prices falling, but the differences between local heating systems remain significant.

The next meeting of the Joint Government and Local Government Commission is on July 30, and all its members – at least from the local government side – hope that the government will propose specific solutions by then.