04.08.2021
„Golden Weld“ on Gas Interconnetor Poland – Slovakia
On 3rd of August 2021 GAZ-SYSTEM and EUSTREAM met at the Poland-Slovakia border to witness the symbolic ‘’golden weld’’ - the technological connection of both ends of the pipeline. For the first time in history, the Polish and Slovak transmission systems have become directly interconnected!
The construction of a new gas pipeline to connect the natural gas transmission systems of Poland and Slovakia is a key element of the North-South Gas Corridor. The parties to the project are GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. and EUSTREAM ? the Polish and Slovak transmission system operators.
“The border weld symbolizes great progress in construction works both on Polish and Slovak side. The new connection will bring huge benefits to the CEE region and I want to thank all our partners who are helping to make this project a reality” - said Rastislav Ňukovič, General Director of EUSTREAM, .
"The "golden weld" will connect the gas transmission systems of Poland and Slovakia. This interconnector, just like the Baltic Pipe laid today at the bottom of the Baltic Sea, will make it possible to implement a bold project. From the Baltic Sea to the mountain peaks, and further south of the continent, gas imported from the Norwegian Continental Shelf or as LNG from around the world is to flow. The construction carried out in this beautiful and difficult terrain is a good example that the border running along the ridge of the Carpathian Mountains promotes cooperation between our nations" said Minister Piotr Naimski, Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure.
"The interconnection of the gas systems of Poland and Slovakia will contribute to enhancing regional security of gas supply and is an important element of the cooperation of the countries under the Three Seas initiative. The progress of construction works on the interconnector is currently over 90%. We are planning to complete the investment and launch the gas pipeline in accordance with the dates previously announced to the market, that is in the first quarter of 2022" - said Tomasz Stępień, President of the Management Board of GAZ-SYSTEM.
"The north-south interconnection is of great importance not only for the energy security of Slovakia, but the whole region as well. Although natural gas is a fossil fuel, its role in the energy transition towards low-carbon Europe is indisputable. Moreover, current gas infrastructure will later serve also for transmission of renewable gasses. Here the important role will play hydrogen, whereas the new pipeline will be technically ready for hydrogen blending” - the StateSsecretary of the Slovak Ministry of Economy Karol Galek said.
The Poland-Slovakia interconnector has a total length of approx. 164 km and a diameter of DN 1000. The gas pipeline on the Polish side (Strachocina/Polish border) is 61.3 km long and passes through the territory of three communes of the Podkarpackie voivodeship: Sanok, Bukowsko and Komańcza. The length of the interconnector on the Slovakian side is 103 km and ends at the gas compressor station Veľké Kapušany in Slovakia. The pipeline will be able to transport gas in a capacity of 4.7 billion m3/year towards Slovakia or 5.7 billion m3/year towards Poland.
Construction works are at a very advanced stage despite the need to overcome technologically and geologically demanding terrain obstacles in the San Basin, Bukowski Foothills and Low Beskids. More than 20 trenchless crossings were made along the route. Poland's longest horizontal directional drilling (HDD) in the bedrock under the Sanoczek River, with a depth of approx. 50 m and a length of 1 124 m, was also carried out.
Connection of the Slovak and Polish gas transmission systems has been recognized as vital for the energy security in EU and therefore the project was continuously included in the list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI) issued by the European Commission since 2013.
The significance of the Poland - Slovakia project for development of the gas market within the European Union has been also reflected in the EU subsidies provided within TEN-E (Trans-European Energy Networks) and CEF (Connecting Europe Facility) programs. The grants encompassed analytical, design and construction works, to be performed in the territory of Poland and Slovakia. Top priority co-financing agreements related to this project were signed by GAZ-SYSTEM and EUSTREAM and Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) in 2015 (design works) and 2017 (construction works). The new Poland - Slovakia pipeline is also a part of the planned European Hydrogen Backbone initiative.
