Polski
A conference was held in Swinoujscie on September 18 to discuss the expansion of the LNG Terminal in Swinoujscie. President Lech Kaczynski and ways to ensure the country’s energy security. The talks also focused on GAZ-SYSTEM’s cooperation with the Border Guard, the Police, as well as the Territorial Defense Forces. The event primarily brought together government representatives and energy industry experts. The main purpose of the meeting was to present the progress of the terminal expansion and discuss its importance for Poland.
Expansion of the Terminal is another step toward increasing the country’s energy security. So what benefits will this investment bring?
LNG terminal
The LNG terminal in Swinoujscie (also known as a gas port) is the first investment of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic Sea region. Thanks to it, Poland has gained the ability to receive liquefied natural gas by sea from almost every corner of the world, which experts say has increased the country’s energy security. The concept for the construction of the gas port was approved in 2006, and the Council of Ministers described the project as strategic for Poland’s interests.
The terminal’s operations include a variety of technological processes, such as unloading LNG at a specialized jetty, storing LNG in dedicated tanks, converting LNG back into gas, and supplying it to the National Transmission System. In addition, the terminal allows the loading of LNG into specialized tankers and ISO containers.
LNG Terminal Expansion Program
The modernization of the LNG Terminal is part of the GAZ-SYSTEM Capital Group’s investment plan, in what is known as the “LNG Terminal Modernization Plan. Northern Gate. Its main goal is to reorient Poland’s gas system from an east-west to a north-south direction.
The LNG Terminal Expansion Program is proceeding in two stages:
- Phase I – SCV Project: Expansion of existing plant with additional regasifiers;
- Phase II – Construction of a new LNG tank and a new ship quay.
The completion date is the end of 2023.
National energy security and the expansion of the Terminal – benefits
“We are strengthening Poland’s energy security at all times. The expanded terminal will further improve this. We are energy secure enough to (…) have the opportunity to become an energy, gas hub for the region. We are expanding this terminal, but we are also working on a floating terminal in Gdansk,” said Anna Lukaszewska-Trzeciakowska, secretary of state, government plenipotentiary for the Gdansk terminal. strategic energy infrastructure. – One of the reasons we are safe is that this infrastructure is protected.”
Energy security of the country in practice
“Any concrete steps taken to this end are important, especially bearing in mind the scale of Russia’s hybrid attacks on Ukrainian energy installations and facilities,” Anna Lukashevska-Trzeciakovska said. – The government is conducting or supporting a whole range of activities to ensure greater security in energy infrastructure. For obvious reasons, we act preventively, shielding and holistically. In the case of the energy transmission infrastructure managed by GAZ-SYSTEM, we already have agreements on cooperation with the Territorial Defense Forces, the State Fire Service and the Border Guard, for which, in one of the most sensitive places on the Polish coast, a watchtower will be built. Today, during the transition period, the company has ensured that Guard officers have decent conditions to perform this responsible service. In this way, the next steps of the signed agreements are consistently implemented.”
“The Swinoujscie terminal is 30 percent. annual gas supplies and a guarantee of Poland’s energy sovereignty. As of today, Border Guard officers will be stationed directly at the terminal infrastructure, which means increased security. A third tank will be completed next week, providing additional storage capacity and operational flexibility that will translate into the ability to handle more ships. This will also allow the terminal to provide ship loading and bunkering services. The expansion project increases the terminal’s capacity and the country’s energy security.” – Marcin Chludzinski, CEO of GAZ-SYSTEM, stressed.
The signing of the agreement with the Border Guard is aimed at strengthening the protection of port facilities and key gas infrastructure. The agreement is in line with new regulations on shipping and seaport security. GAZ-SYSTEM, as the investor, is responsible for the construction of facilities for the Border Guard, which will be handed over to it upon completion.
This is not the first such initiative. Previously, the company worked with the Territorial Defense Forces and the National Fire Service. GAZ-SYSTEM also ensures that the airspace above the terminal is protected from unauthorized access by cooperating with relevant services. As a state-owned company, it plays an important role in ensuring Poland’s energy security by protecting important gas installations.
Energy security the foundation of Poland’s future
The country’s energy security is not only a matter of supplying raw materials, but also of effectively protecting key infrastructure. Today’s challenges, such as potential hybrid threats, require constant vigilance and investment in modern solutions. Thanks to its initiatives, such as the expansion of the LNG Terminal in Swinoujscie, Poland is strengthening its position on the energy map of Europe, while taking care of its citizens’ energy security.
Photo source: GAZ-SYSTEM
