Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki During the Opening of Baltic Pipe: Today, We Are Starting the Era of Energy Sovereignty
27.09.2022
The head of the Polish Government together with President Andrzej Duda and the Prime Minister of Denmark symbolically started the transfer of gas through the Baltic Pipe. The investment is a joint initiative of Poland and Denmark. Despite the fact that the idea of Baltic Pipe appeared as early as in 2000, only the consistent actions taken by our government allowed to implement this investment. The new routes of gas deliveries directly from the deposits in Norway allow us to increase our energy security. This is a key issue, in particular considering Russia’s aggression on our neighbour – Ukraine, and Russia’s ongoing energy blackmail.
– Today, we can make this statement with full confidence: the era of Russia’s domination in the gas area is coming to an end. The era marked with blackmail, threats and extortion. Today, we are starting a new era: the era of energy sovereignty, energy freedom and increased safety – the Prime Minister underlined.
The symbol of effectiveness and agency
Baltic Pipe is the effect of a policy implemented consequentially starting from 2015 related to the diversification of sources and the directions of gas deliveries. As pointed out by the head of the Polish government, Baltic Pipe today is the symbol of freedom, sovereignty, safety and peace. At the same time, it is an expression of effectiveness, agency and efficiency.
– It is one of the largest, most complicated projects carried out by the Republic of Poland within a given time and budget, carried out in an effective and efficient manner – stressed the Prime Minister.
Geopolitical Breakthrough in Europe
In the situation of gas extortion and breaking international agreements by Russia, we need to care for our sovereignty and safety. Baltic Pipe is going to remain the symbol of our energy sovereignty. Earlier, our warnings against Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 were perceived as overstated. Today, we can clearly see how real the risks we mentioned are.
The Prime Minister underlined that cooperation is the source of safety. The Baltic Pipe is going to permit the transport of gas south, to other countries of the region. It is also going to increase the competition at the Polish wholesale market. The use of gas is also meaningful in the process of decarbonisation – its deliveries ensure an alternative to coal. In consequence, this impacts climate protection and the reduction of costs related to the purchase of CO2 emission allowances.
– Today, we are at the moment of geopolitical breakthrough, at the moment of consolidation of the free world – underlined the head of the Polish government. – The free, democratic world, the entire Europe – not only the European Union – stand united in the efforts against the domination, against imperialisms and attempts at the colonisation of countries surrounding the grand, Russian empire.
A Strategic Investment in Our Safety
- 10 billion m3 of gas is going to pass through the Baltic Pipe.
- The investment is carried out by the Polish operator of pipeline routes GAZ-SYSTEM and the operator of the Danish gas transmission system Energinet.
- The length of the offshore section is approximately 275 km. The section in Denmark includes over 200 kilometres of gas pipeline and the new compressor station.
- In the North Sea, the Baltic Pipe connects to the Norwegian Gas Transmission system through the Norwegian gas pipe Europipe II.
Baltic Pipe is not the only investment in our energy security. Further works at the LNG Terminal in Swinoujscie are underway. The gas connection between Poland and Lithuania was commissioned in May 2022, and in August – between Poland and Slovakia. Additional plans also include an offshore terminal on the Gulf of Gdańsk.
