30.04.2018
GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. and EUSTREAM have signed the Connection Agreement for implementation of the PCI Project, the Poland-Slovakia Gas Interconnection
The Polish and Slovak gas transmission system operators, i.e. GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. and EUSTREAM have signed the Connection Agreement for implementation of the PCI Project, the Poland–Slovakia Gas Interconnection.
Warsaw/Bratislava, April 2018 – The Polish and Slovak gas transmission system operators, i.e. GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. and EUSTREAM have signed the Connection Agreement for implementation of the PCI Project, the Poland-Slovakia Gas Interconnection.
On the basis of the Connection Agreement both transmission system operators adopted a positive final investment decision concerning implementation of the Poland–Slovakia Gas Interconnection. The Poland-Slovakia Gas Interconnection constitutes the crucial part of the North South Gas Interconnections in Central Eastern and South Eastern Europe (NSI East Gas) and will contribute to the enhancement of the regional security of supply and integration of the natural gas markets in the region.
“Positive investment decision on implementation of the PCI project, the Poland–Slovakia Gas Interconnection confirms the commitment of both TSOs in reaching the most important goals of the EU energy policy” said Mr Tomasz Stępień, CEO of GAZ-SYSTEM.
“This is good news for natural gas consumers in Slovakia, Poland and CEE region. Construction of this gas interconnector will increase regional energy security and create new natural gas trading opportunities to the benefit of European customers” said Mr Rastislav Ňukovič, CEO of EUSTREAM.
The new gas interconnection between Poland and Slovakia will allow for diversification of the CEE region gas sources by creating a missing link between the Polish and Slovak gas transmission systems.
Implementation of the project will enable surrounding CEE countries to benefit from the direct access to different gas supply sources from the North, such as fully operational LNG terminals at the Baltic Sea (Świnoujście LNG, Klaipeda LNG via Gas Interconnection Poland-Lithuania (GIPL) and Norway (through the planned Baltic Pipe) as well as from the South, through the Slovakia-Hungary Interconnection and the planned Eastring pipeline. It will increase liquidity of the natural gas market in the CEE region. Furthermore, the project will contribute to the solidarity between both countries.
Construction works are planned to begin in the second half of 2018 and will be finalised by the end of 2021.
EU financial support under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Programme
On 18 December 2017 European Union’s Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA), GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. and Eustream signed the Grant Agreement allowing both TSOs to receive the EU financial support under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Programme for the construction works for the Poland-Slovakia Gas Interconnection. Earlier, in 2015, the Project has received funds under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Programme for the “Preparatory studies and engineering works for the Poland-Slovakia Gas Interconnection”. The CEF financial assistance substantially has not only increased the positive outlook of the Project, but it also facilitated final investemt decision on its implementation.
Projects of Common Interest
In November 2017, European Commission granted the status of the Project of Common Interest to the Poland-Slovakia Gas Interconnection. This status was granted for the third time, earlier the project was included on the first and second PCI list adopted respectively in 2013 and 2015.
More information about the Poland-Slovakia Gas Interconnection
GAZ-SYSTEM: http://en.gaz-system.pl/wsparcie-z-ue/transeuropejska-siec-energetyczna-ten-e/polska-slowacja/
EUSTREAM: http://www.eustream.sk/en_transmission-system/en_pl-sk-interconnector