Poland, Lithuania Consider New Gas Interconnection

Poland and Lithuania discussed stronger gas cooperation opportunities during a closed-door meeting on the sidelines of the launch of the electricity interconnection LitPol. 

On Monday, Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaitė took part in the inauguration of the power link with Poland and the NordBalt with Sweden, hailing the event as “historic”. 

“With the links in place, we are increasing stability and solidarity and ending dependence on a single supplier. We are becoming part of the Western European energy market,” Grybauskaitė commented in a statement.  

Polish and Lithuanian authorities are also mulling a gas link. 

“We are ready for a discussion about a gas link. We are counting on the European Union's support, as it would be a cross-border project,” Polish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for economic development Mateusz Morawieck reportedly said, on his way to Vilnius. 

Earlier this year, the European Union awarded EUR 295.4 million for the construction of a gas pipeline between Lithuania and Poland. The Polish transmission system operator Gas Transmission Operator Gaz-System S.A and the Lithuanian transmission system operator AB Amber Grid inked a trilateral agreement with the EU Innovation Network Executive Agency (INEA).