Poland-Lithuania gas link launched: gov't minister

A new Polish-Lithuanian gas link has been launched to provide an alternative supply route after Russia halted deliveries, the Polish climate and environment minister has said.

Photo:

PAP/Paweł Supernak

"As planned, gas from Lithuania began flowing to Poland today," Anna Moskwa announced on Twitter on Sunday.

"On May 5, new infrastructure will be opened to enable greater transmission," she added.

Zgodnie z planem od dzisiaj gaz z Litwy płynie do Polski. 5 maja otwarcie kolejnej infrastruktury umożliwiającej większy przesył. Polska bezpieczna energetycznie. Brawo @PiotrNaimski @GAZ_SYSTEM @GK_PGNiG

— Anna Moskwa (@moskwa_anna) May 1, 2022

Ultimately, the 508-kilometre GIPL pipeline will have the capacity to carry 2 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Lithuania to Poland and 2.5 billion cubic metres the other way, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

A Swiss magazine has reported that Poland is building new pipelines to Germany, Lithuania and Slovakia to source gas from these neighbouring countries as an emergency option and to send gas there from its purchases elsewhere.

Russia’s energy giant Gazprom last week suspended gas deliveries to Poland and Bulgaria after the two countries refused to pay in Russian roubles, according to officials.

Poland uses about 20 billion cubic metres of natural gas a year, experts say.

(gs)

Source: PAP