Energy Security of Polish Consumers in 2004-2021

Energy security is one of the most important components of economic security. It is influenced not only by access to energy sources and the economic situation of the state and the individual consumer. In the years 2004–2021, energy security of the individual consumer in the economic dimension significantly improved. This was due to several factors:1. Both minimum and average wages grew faster than inflation. 2. In the period under review, the prices of heating coal increased by 117%,and the possibility of purchasing coal by an individual consumer with a minimumremuneration of up to 2.8 tons and an average remuneration of up to 5.6 tons of coalalso increased. The increase in the purchase price was lower than the increase in theraw material price.3. In the analyzed period, regular supplies of energy resources, i.e. crude oiland gas, took place. The highest increase in the analyzed period was the increasein the prices of diesel oil by 57%, gasoline by 45%, and gas by 37%.
4. Electricity prices for individual consumers in Poland increased by 78% per1 kWh in the analyzed period, with the minimum wage it was possible to buy 90%more KWh, for the average salary – more by 39%.5. The prices of heat generated by municipal, housing estate increased by 93%in the analyzed period. For the minimum wage in 2021, it was possible to buy 64%more heat than in 2004, and for the average wage only by more than 17%.6. The minimum wage growth rate in 2004–2021 was higher than the averagewage. In 2021, the minimum wage allowed to buy more heat and electricity thanthe average wage.