Russian energy firm Gazprom had told Poland and Bulgaria it would stop supplying gas to “unfriendly” countries who refused to pay in rumbles (Russian currency). After a brief halt of Russian gas supplies to Poland on early Wednesday, Data from the European Union network of gas transmission operators shows that Poland’s supply has now been cut. Poland says it will get gas from other sources. It is not yet clear if Bulgaria’s supplies have also been cut. Both countries have refused to pay in roubles which is known as the Russian currency. Polish state gas company PGNIG said it had been told all gas deliveries would be halted from Wednesday.
PGNiG relies on Gazprom for the majority of its gas imports and bought 53% of its imports from the Russian company in the first quarter of this year. It described the suspension as a breach of contract, adding that the company would take steps to reinstate the gas supply.
Following the news, Poland’s climate minister Anna Moskwa said the country’s energy supplies were secure. He went further to explain that there was no need to draw gas from reserves and gas to customers would not be cut. Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Marcin Przydacz, said his country had been preparing for the possibility Russia might limit gas exports by diversifying its supplies. “I’m pretty sure that we will manage to handle this,” he said in his interview with BBC. Poland was already planning to stop importing Russian gas by the end of the year, when its long-term supply contract with Gazprom expires.
PGNIG said its underground gas storage was almost 80% full and, with summer approaching, demand was lower. Poland also has alternative supply sources, including a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Swinoujscie. The gas supply cut does not mean Poland will immediately be unable to meet customer demands.
