Polish gas transmission operator, Gaz-System, and its Danish counterpart, Energinet, have started work on securing a positive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for their proposed natural gas pipeline project, the Baltic Pipe.
The firms promoting the project said earlier this week following the positive result obtained in the economic test for the Baltic Pipe, efforts to obtain environmental clearance in both countries began in December.
In Poland, Gaz-System submitted a request for the decision on environmental conditions along with the project’s information relating to the subsea section of the Baltic Pipe gas pipeline in Polish waters, Kallanish Energy learns.
In Denmark, Energinet is holding six public consultation meetings from Jan. 8-11, to follow preliminary public hearings launched by local authorities on Dec. 21 and due to finish on Jan. 22. The environmental permits for the onshore and offshore sections will be issued separately by two different authorities.
“In the event of such bulk infrastructure projects, implementation of the investment project depends on an in-depth analysis of environmental conditions and their potential influence upon the surrounding area,” Gaz-System said.
A final investment decision for the project is expected to be made by December 2018, with operations slated to begin in October 2022. Transmission contracts with market participants are expected to be signed by Jan. 31, 2018.
The operators are moving ahead with the project, which could deliver up to 10 billion cubic meters per year (Bcm/y) of gas to Poland, and up to 3 Bcm/y to Denmark and Sweden.