European Commission confirmed the justifiability of public aid for subsequent investment projects of GAZ-SYSTEM S.A.

Photo of the article On 16 October 2013, the European Commission declared compatible with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union individual aid for GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. for the implementation of the following tasks:
  • Hermanowice – Strachocina Gas Pipeline,
  • Strachocina – Pogórska Wola Gas Pipeline,
  • Zdzieszowice – Wrocław Gas Pipeline,
  • Skoczów – Komorowice – Oświęcim Gas Pipeline,
  • Modernisation of the transmission system in Lower Silesia in order to improve its functioning and to ensure the optimal use of the Polish-German interconnection,
  • Lwówek – Odolanów Gas Pipeline.

A potential award of subsidies from the European Regional [Development] Fund will be possible in case of the availability of funds within the “Infrastructure and Environment” Programme. The investment projects are on the reserve list of individual projects of the “Infrastructure and Environment” Programme. Expected support from the European funds for the implementation of subsequent investment projects of GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. constitutes public aid in the meaning of Article 107.1 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The total amount of such aid may amount to PLN 1,949.57 million, assuming the aid intensity at the level of 45.67%.

The above mentioned projects are to be implemented in the years 2013–2020 as the elements of the North-South Gas Corridor. The prepared investment projects will contribute to the development of the Polish gas transmission system. They will affect the effectiveness of the system by increasing its transmission capacity, at the same time ensuring a higher security of supplies. In addition, the implementation of the above mentioned six investment projects also constitutes a significant input in promoting strategic objectives of the EU energy policy, such as: development of the basic infrastructure necessary for the functioning of the internal market of natural gas, increased security of supplies and diversification of sources, and the development of interconnections between Member States.

GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. finances up to 30% of its investment expenditures from the EU funds.