Polish Briefing: Power consumption drops in January I Climate Minister says Poland waiting for sanctions on Friendship pipe

What goes on in Poland on the 16th of February.

PSE: Power consumption dropped in January

PSE (Poland’s grid operator – ed.) has reported that in January domestic electricity consumption fell by 5.07 percent year-on-year.

This means the total consumption in that month reached 15.09 TWh.

Total electricity production fell by 6.93 percent year – on – year to 15.04 TWh in January.

“In January 2023, power plants produced 7.37 TWh of electricity from bituminous coal (a decrease by 2.72 percent year-on – year), 3.49 TWh from lignite (a decrease by 20.28 percent year – on – year), while gas power plants generated 1.31 TWh (an increase by 8.03 percent), and wind power plants gave 2.32 TWh of energy (a decrease by 9.16 percent year-on-year),” the statement revealed.

PSE provides power transmission services across the country. The company is responsible for network traffic, security, operation and maintenance of the electricity system.

Moskwa: Poland does not import natural gas from Russia. There is one oil contract, but it’s only a matter of time

“Poland does not import natural gas and coal from Russia. As for oil, Orlen has one final contract. However, we are waiting for sanctions and we are ready for them. We want to replace this small amount quickly,” said Anna Moskwa the Minister of Climate and Environment in an interview with the Polish Radio.

Moskwa talked about the current geopolitical situation and imports of natural gas, coal and oil from Russia. “Poland does not import natural gas and coal from Russia. The gas that goes to Poland comes from European exchanges. As for oil, Orlen has one remaining contract,” she explained.

She stressed that the government was working to replace the oil that Orlen buys from the Russians. The company has a contract with Tatneft until the end of 2024, and it would face heavy financial penalties if it ended it prematurely.

“However, we are waiting for sanctions and we are ready for them. We want to replace that small amount quickly,” she added.

Orlen argues that the introduction of sanctions on the northern strand of the Friendship Oil Pipeline would allow it to terminate the agreement without penalties.