ENERGY SECURITY OF POLAND – ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND DEPENDENCE COMPARED TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

Purpose: The aim of the study was to present the issue of energy efficiency and dependency as key factors in the country's energy security and to diagnose the current state of Poland's energy security against the background of the European Union. Design/methodology/approach: The paper uses a descriptive and explanatory research method, primarily analysis of Eurostat data, as well as causal analysis based on a literature review. Findings: The study presents quantitative ways of determining the level of energy security of a country and also presents rankings of EU countries in the context of energy efficiency and energy dependency. The study presents recommended development actions for Poland and the European Union to increase energy security. Research limitations/implications: Constraints in the implementation of the research included difficult access to complete and adequate data or a complete lack thereof. Future research will concern the diagnosis and analysis of the energy mixes of CEE countries in the context of their energy security. Practical implications: Development recommendations for the EU and Poland are presented (reducing the level of network losses in energy transmission and distribution, building highly efficient generation units, increasing the level of use of high-efficiency cogeneration and increasing end-use energy efficiency). Originality/value: The analyses presented fill the research gap concerning the diagnosis of the level of efficiency and energy dependence (of Poland in comparison with EU countries) in the context of ensuring Poland's energy security.