Poland, Slovakia sign deal on new gas pipeline

Poland’s Deputy Energy Minister Michał Kurtyka said: “[This agreement] is an important milestone in the creation of a north-south gas corridor.

“The project will contribute to creating a strong and stable regional gas market, which will have access to multiple sources of gas.”

The proposed pipeline will be 165 km long and will have a capacity of 5 billion cubic metres a year. The necessary supporting infrastructure will also be built, including compressor stations, and the EU will provide EUR 107.7 million to finance the project.

Kurtyka noted that, thanks to an existing gas connection between Hungary and Slovakia, most of the region will be connected once the Polish-Slovak pipeline is finished.

Both Poland and Slovakia will now gain direct access to a variety of gas supply sources in the north, including a Polish LNG terminal at Świnoujście in the northwest of the country, a Lithuanian LNG terminal at Klaipėda, and gas from Norway if the proposed Baltic Pipe project goes ahead.

In addition, both countries will now be connected to gas sources in the south, such as the planned Eastring pipeline linking the Balkans.

Kurtyka added: “Our ability to guarantee our southern neighbours, including Slovakia, an alternative source of gas… is extremely important for these countries.” (sl/gs)

Source: PAP