Slovakia-Poland gas pipeline remains largely unused due to high costs

A strategic gas pipeline connecting Poland and Slovakia, constructed at a cost of approximately 100 million euros and completed in 2022, remains largely unused. Despite its intended purpose of strengthening energy independence for both nations, Slovakia is not utilizing the option to import gas from the north due to high market prices.

Currently, Slovakia primarily secures its gas supplies from southern routes. The 170-kilometer cross-border infrastructure consists of roughly 61 kilometers in Poland and 106 kilometers in Slovakia. While Poland views the connection as a vital backup option for unforeseen crisis situations, it is not essential for daily operations as Poland utilizes its own LNG terminal in Świnoujście and the Baltic Pipe.

Discussions regarding how to make the infrastructure more efficient have occurred previously, including talks between the Slovak transmission company Eustream and the Polish state operator GAZ-SYSTEM to explore ways to make gas transport from Polish terminals more attractive.