The Baltic Pipe natural gas pipeline was officially inaugurated today, creating a new gas supply corridor on the European market. The pipeline, which will transport natural gas from the Norwegian shelf via Denmark and through the Baltic Sea to Poland, opens in a crucial period supporting the EU’s efforts to diversify away from Russian gas.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Goleniów, Poland, was attended by Poland’s head of state, President, Andrzej Duda, the head of government, Mateusz Morawiecki, Ministry for Climate & the Environment, Anna Moskwa, alongside their Danish and Norwegian counterparts – Denmark’s Prime Minister, Danii Mette Frederiksen, and Norway’s Minister for Petroleum and Energy, Tereje Aasland. The EU’s Director General in the European Commission’s Energy Department, Ditte Jull Jørgensen was also present at the ceremony. The event was hosted by the natural gas transmission system operators – Polish GAZ SYSTEM and Danish Energinet, which are jointly responsible for the construction of the pipeline.
“Opening a new gas route via Baltic Pipe brings the end of the era of Russian domination in the natural gas sphere, which was associated with threats and extortion. We are entering a new of sovereignty, energy freedom and increased energy security”, said Prime Minister Morawiecki at the inauguration ceremony.
“Today, we in Europe – together, are sending a powerful message that Russia will not succeed. Here, we are seeing a truly European project – a result of solidarity, regional partnership and political will across Europe”, said Ditte Jull Jørgensen speaking on behalf of the President of the European Commission.
“I would like to thank all the people, offices and companies involved in the implementation of this complicated project, which is Baltic Pipe. Special thanks go to the employees of GAZ SYSTEM and employees of our Danish partner, Energinet”, said CEO of GAZ SYSTEM, Tomasz Stępień
Separately, Energinet notified the gas market that the Baltic Pipe gas pipeline can be commissioned at full capacity from the end of November 2022, more than a month ahead of schedule. Parts of the large-scale construction have been delayed, nonetheless, the pipeline will still be operational with partial capacity from 1 October.
