A nine-people-strong family living in the village of Rzążew near Siedlce (Masovian Voivodeship) have found themselves in a very difficult situation. Head of the family - Adam - is worried that even if they manage to save money to buy coal for winter, there will be a shortage at coal depots. Adam resorts to heat their home by burning wood from his parents' forest.
Adam has a family of nine and admits he needs huge amounts of wood or coal. As winter approaches and prices soar, he is worried about himself and other family members. Adam told TVN24 reporter Mateusz Grzymkowski he hoped he would be able to heat their household.
They can't afford coal and shortage looms anyway
"We can't afford to buy coal. And recently I've even read in 'Tygodnik Siedlecki' there's no coal in depots," Adam says. How does he heat his home and how much it costs him? "Wood and coal. If I were to buy wood alone, it would probably be around five (5,000 zlotys - edit.), plus coal for the whole winter - probably another five or so."
He admits that it's too much for him. "If not for my parents' forest, I wouldn't be able to afford to provide heat for my kids at all," Adam says. He is aware that winter will be a huge challenge for them.
More such stories can be heard in Rzążew. TVN24 reporter did not choose to visit this village by chance - Poland's former energy minister Krzysztof Tchórzewski was born there. Some 200 people live in the area.
Mateusz Grzymkowski also spoke to other local residents who are afraid of the looming winter. "And yet the government keeps on saying everything will be perfectly fine and there will not be a shortage of coal," the reporter said.
Coal subsidy for households
Due to energy crisis in Poland, since August people can file requests for a one-off coal allowance worth 3,000 zlotys. The deadline for submitting requests is November 30.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, tvnwarszawa.pl
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: TVN24