Modernisation of the gas transmission system in Poland’s Lower Silesia region is taking place with the construction of two new gas pipelines of a total length of 59.2 km and a gas compression station. These installations – built with EU co-financing – are extensions of the existing supply network used to import gas from Germany. They should help to improve the functioning of the transmission system for the south and west of Poland and ensure optimal use of supply connections between Poland and Germany.
- 29 November 2017
One of the pipelines constructed under the project runs from the hub in the village of Lasów to the new gas compression station – also built as part of the project – in the village of Jeleniów. It is approximately 17.5 km long and has a diameter of 700 mm.
The other pipeline runs between the villages of Gałów and Kiełczów and is around 41.7 km long and 500 mm in diameter. The Jeleniów II gas compression station comprises two centrifugal compressors driven by gas turbines and has the capacity to compress 160 000 cubic metres of gas per hour.
Meeting energy demand at peak times
Construction of the pipelines and compression station has taken place against the background of the expansion of the underground gas-storage facility in the village of Wierzchowice. The new pipelines make it possible to use the underground storage facility more effectively and improve the security of energy supply between Poland and Germany, particularly as the hub at Lasów is an entry point to the Polish supply system from the German side.
Working in tandem with the Wierzchowice storage facility, the pipelines and compression station allow for a surplus of gas to be imported through Lasów during the summer and transferred to storage at Wierzchowice. Deliveries from Wierzchowice are then available to cover peak demand for energy during the winter.
A reliable and flexible gas supply
In addition to helping to improve energy security, by increasing transmission capacity from Germany the project supports the diversification of gas supply in south-west Poland and enables new customers to be connected to the transmission network. It also contributes to ensuring a more reliable and flexible supply system.
Thus, the new installations support the implementation of the EU Energy Union, which is aimed at guaranteeing a secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy supply for European consumers, households and businesses. All technology used in the new facilities is compatible with EU environmental requirements.
More than EUR 20 million has been invested in building the pipelines and gas compression station, of which over EUR 9 million has come from the EU. Simulation analysis has shown that the area covered by the investments houses some 3 million people and includes part of both the Lower Silesian and Opolskie regions, thereby giving the project a supra-regional character.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Modernisation of the transmission system in Lower Silesia in order to improve its functionality and optimal use of the connection between Poland and Germany-Phase II” is EUR 20 269 540, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 9 257 098 through the “Infrastructure and Environment” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period.