“Unlike other European Union countries, we have long understood that raw materials are a tool of imperial policy for Russia and that its goal is to make European nations dependent”, said Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State Assets Jacek Sasin during the conference “The road to energy independence of Poland and the region”, held in the Senate.

When assessing the situation, Deputy Prime Minister Sasin, pointed out that Poland is a leader in the European Union in terms of the rate at which it is switching away from raw materials from Russia. It has been diversifying its energy sources for 7 years. As recently as 2015, as much as 90 % of the gas consumed in Poland was supplied from Russia. Before the suspension of supplies, however, this percentage had fallen below half. The situation is similar with oil. In the opinion of the head of the ministry of state assets, the long-term strategy of state-owned companies based on independence from supplies from the eastern direction has worked and proved effective.

This is particularly visible in the context of the crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. “We are satisfied that today that in view of the dangers hanging over Europe, Poland is relatively safe. However, this did not come from anywhere. It is the result of our accurate diagnosis, the investments we have made and their effective implementation”, emphasized Jacek Sasin.

As an example of actions that lead to greater energy security in Poland, he mentioned the activities of PKN Orlen. By consolidating the energy sector on the basis of the Plock Orlen Group, the multi-energy concern is being created, which will further strengthen the Polish position and economic independence”, says the Deputy Prime Minister and adds that the situation of Poland is also stabilized by the gas port in Swinoujscie, the system of storage facilities, increased gas extraction from deposits belonging to PGNiG and connectors with neighbours.

Adrian Andrzejewski