Polish-Czech Interconnector Approaches Launch

A new 0.5 billion cubic metre per year gas link between Poland and the Czech Republic has been completed earlier than expected.

Polish gas pipeline operator Gaz System and Czech company Net4Gas, will launch the interconnector in September, one month ahead of schedule.

Poland's gas monopoly PGNiG , a unit of German gas company VNG and a subsidiary of CP Energia signed deals in 2009 to deliver gas through the new link.

The project and an ongoing expansion of a link with Germany, are scheduled to be operational later this year. Links with Slovakia and Lithuania to be ready by 2018 at the latest.

The interconnector is part of a wider process towards integrating Poland's gas pipeline network with its neighbours as a part of an EU-wide strategy to bring together energy markets, and to provide markets for Poland's planned Świnoujście LNG terminal.

Gaz System wants greater integration of Poland's gas system with neighbours