Poland: Doubts Grow over Warsaw Ability to Handle Gas Challenges

Lack of vision, indecisiveness and passivity in international scene impairs the Polish government's ability to lead the country from dependence on Russian gas to the position of a gas exporter,  according to the Polish national daily paper Rzeczpospolita.

According to experts quoted by the newspaper, current decision makers in Warsaw are apparently turning a blind eye to two critical facts. Firstly, that natural gas in Central Europe represent more than just a fuel source and secondly, that gas independence is now as important for Poland as once NATO and EU membership.

In Saturday's front page editorial "Gas Incapacity of the Polish Government” and fourth page article “Too Weak to Export Gas," the moderately conservative daily accuses the government of an inability to plan and execute large political and economic projects.

Rzeczpospolita points out to the construction of the first Polish LNG terminal in Swinoujscie, already several months behind schedule and afflicted by the bankruptcy of the contractor Hydrobudowa.

The paper also describes behind-the-scenes disputes reportedly paralyzing decisions concerning new oil and gas regulations.

Since May 2011 companies exploring for shale gas in Poland have been repeatedly promised new, fair and transparent regulations by the Prime Minister Donald Tusk and other government officials. The daily warns, that the prolonged uncertainty surrounding the regulatory framework can discourage the industry from further investments in Poland.

Looking into the future the daily notes that in the light of Nord Stream capacity expansion, Polish sector of the Yamal-Europe pipeline could become a most convenient way of exporting surplus of gas from Poland to Germany, the major importer of Russian gas.

However, according to experts quoted by Rzeczpospolita, it is highly unlikely, that the current government will throw down the gauntlet to Moscow and speak out for equal rights for Polish gas in the European Market.