PKN ORLEN to import gas from Germany
Next year, the ORLEN Group will import approximately 90 million cubic metres of natural gas from the western direction. The gas will be delivered by RWE Supply & Trading GmbH and Entrade Grupa Sp. z o.o. to PKN ORLEN's plant in Płock and to Anwil in Włocławek.
The contracts with the suppliers – RWE Supply & Trading GmbH and Entrade Grupa Sp. z o.o – were concluded for 12 months, with an extension option. Under the contracts PKN ORLEN may import approximately 90 million cubic metres of natural gas, which accounts for 7–8% of its annual requirement.
The ORLEN Group gained the possibility of purchasing gas from countries west of Poland after it was granted transmission capacity by OGP Gaz-System as part of the Open Season procedure concerning transmission capacities of the Lasów inter-connector. In order to transmit the imported gas, the 50 million cubic metres transmission capacity granted to the ORLEN Group, and 40 million cubic metres capacity available to Entrade (the second partner) will be utilised.
"Expansion of the transmission capacities in Lasów, on the Polish-German border, made it possible to diversify natural gas supplies for PKN ORLEN. With the new transit capabilities, we can start building trade relationships with new suppliers, which is of paramount importance given the current liberalisation of the natural gas market. It is also important in the context of our plans to develop gas-based power generation," said Jacek Krawiec, President of the Management Board of PKN ORLEN.
In 2014, PKN ORLEN intends to launch a gas-fired power generating unit in Włocławek, which will require approximately 500 million cubic metres of natural gas annually. The procedures aimed at finding a potential supplier of natural gas for the power plant have already begun.
