Pogórska Wola – Tworzeń gas pipeline effects on diversification of energy sources
Improved energy security with cohesion policy
The European Regional Investment Fund (ERDF) invested 145.5 million EUR to build the Pogórska Wola – Tworzeń gas pipeline over 168 km through the southern polish regions of Małopolskie, Świętokrzyskie et Śląskie. This pipeline, part of the North-South corridor, is a project of public interest under the ten-year development plan of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gaz (ENTSOG).
“This gas pipeline supported by the EU funds is a new cornerstone to the European energy market and to the diversification of the Union energy sources. It will contribute to bring to the polish citizens a more affordable, safe and sustainable energy,” Commissioner for regional policy Corina Cretu stated.
The North-South corridor is made of 10 different projects, six of them co-financed by the EU. The total contribution of the EU to these 6 projects over the 2014-2020 programming period amounts to 275 million EUR. The construction of the Pogórska Wola – Tworzeń gas pipeline should be finished by the end of 2020.
Investment project
Basic parameters of the project:
- High pressure gas pipeline;
- Diameter: 1,000 mm;
- Working pressure: 8.4 MPa;
- Length: approx. 168 km.
The design stage was completed in November 2017, with a full set of administrative decisions and construction permits obtained.
The construction design and the detailed design have been drawn up by Tractebel Engineering S.A.
Construction of the gas pipeline is planned to be completed in 2020.
As a result of the planned investment, the security and reliability of natural gas transmission in the territory of Opole and Silesia, and transmission capacity and natural gas source diversification in Poland will increase. In addition, the Tworóg – Tworzeń gas pipeline will form an element of the North-South Gas Corridor that connects the LNG terminal in Świnoujście with the planned LNG terminal in Croatia.
Location of the project
The pipeline will be located in the following voivodeships: Małopolskie, Świętokrzyskie and Śląskie. It will pass the territories of the following municipalities: Skrzyszów, Tarnów, Lisia Góra, Dąbrowa Tarnowska, Żabno, Olesno, Gręboszów, Opatowiec, Bejsce, Kazimierza Wielka, Skalbmierz, Pałecznica, Radziemice, Słomniki, Iwanowice, Gołcza, Trzyciąż, Olkusz, Klucze, Bolesław, Sławków, Dąbrowa Górnicza.
Benefits resulting from the project
The Pogórska Wola – Tworzeń high pressure gas pipeline will contribute to increasing Poland’s energy security by dividing the gas streams and shortening the route along which gas fuel is transported. It will also constitute a crucial component of the North-South Gas Corridor.
Completion of the project will result in the following:
- Increased capacity of the transmission system;
- Increased value of the neighbouring areas, which will be more attractive for investors;
- Enhanced level of gas transmission security in the region.
The property tax paid each year by GAZ-SYSTEM, equalling 2% of the value of the transmission infrastructure located within the territory of a given municipality, will be considerable benefit for the local communities in question. The taxes will benefit the local budgets on a regular basis, and can be earmarked to address the needs of local communities.
Legal basis
The project is performed based on the provisions of the Act of 24 April 2009 on investment projects related to the liquefied natural gas re-gasification terminal in Świnoujście (consolidated wording: Journal of Laws of 2017, item 2302, as amended). The gas pipeline has been included in the catalogue of projects accompanying the terminal-related projects, pursuant to the Act of 30 May 2014 amending the Act on investment projects related to the liquefied natural gas re-gasification terminal in Świnoujście, and amending the Act on real estate management (Journal of Laws of 2014, item 906).
European Union subsidies
The plans assume that construction of the gas pipeline will be co-funded by the European Union under the 2014-2020 Infrastructure and Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment of the European Regional Development Fund.
In October 2013, the European Commission classified the project as a Project of Common Interest.
