Warsaw (Puls Biznesu) – Diversification, gas pipelines with her neighbors – Poland is going to become the region’s giant according to the CEO of the gas monopoly.
The strategy for the years 2007-11 of PGNiG, Poland’s listed gas monopoly, is very simple – its priority consists in gas diversification. Poland would become a gas exchange market, so PGNiG would have the opportunity to choose the cheapest offer, as well as re-export gas. PGNiG, whose long term strategy should be ready till March 31st, says it has already had signals from the Baltic countries which are also interested in diversification projects. They include the gas port in Swinoujscie and a submarine gas pipeline from Norway.
The LNG terminal in Swinoujscie should have capacity of 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually at first and 5-7.5 billion cubic meters later. PGNiG will probably found a company to realize this project. At first, it will be a 100-percent subsidiary of PGNiG. The company is currently looking for partners.
According to PGNiG’s plans, gas would be re-exported from Poland in the future. Several days ago, the Polish gas giant signed cooperation agreement with Danish DONG. Denmark is estimated to be forced to increase gas imports in 10-15 years because its own fields are running out.
“We have our gas, we have Russian gas, plus LNG and gas from the submarine pipeline. There is a chance to build not only a local but a regional market as well”, Krzysztof Glogoski, PGNiG CEO said.
There are two projects to import LNG to Poland. Aleksander Gudzowaty and German Ruhrgas want to build Bernau-Szczecin gas pipeline. PGNiG and German VNG want to build a gas pipeline to Germany as well.