The Gas Interconnector Poland-Lithuania (GIPL) started operating on 1 May. The 508 kilometres GIPL pipeline effectively expands the European gas market by integrating the Baltic States and Finland. This step further strengthens the energy independence of the region and increases the possibilities of using the Klaipėda LNG terminal.
“For the first time in the history of the countries, gas flows through the GIPL pipeline,” said Nemunas Biknius, CEO of Lithuania Transmission System Operator, Amber Grid. “[…] This is a particularly important event in the history of Lithuania’s and Poland’s energy independence, especially in the context of the security of gas supply. From now on, having the opportunity to import and export gas through the GIPL connection, Lithuania and Poland have increased the energy security not only of their countries but also of the whole Baltic region and Finland, something especially important under the current geopolitical circumstances. A reliable infrastructure that ensures uninterrupted energy exchange is an essential element that will determine the economic growth of the region.”
Technical capacity for direction from Poland to Lithuania (exit) will amount to up to 2 billion cubic metres (bcm) per annum or 22.5 terawatts-hour (TWh)/annum. Interruptible capacity for direction from Lithuania to Poland (entry) will amount to up to 1.9 bcm/annum or 21 TWh/annum.
Photo: Amber Grid.
