“Golden weld” on the Poland-Lithuania Gas Interconnection

Photo of the article On 22 October, GAZ-SYSTEM and Amber Grid completed a symbolic “golden weld” on the gas pipeline connecting the gas systems of both countries.
“We are connecting the gas transmission systems of Poland and Lithuania with a view to flowing gas through this route next year. The GIPL will put an end to the isolation of the gas markets in the Baltic States and facilitate the free choice of gas supplier at competitive market prices. This interconnection is also an important element of the strategy to diversify gas supply to Poland. Together with other investments being implemented by GAZ-SYSTEM, such as the Baltic Pipe, the expansion of the LNG Terminal in Swinoujscie and the interconnection with Slovakia, it will help Poland and other countries in our region to make their economies independent of the dictates of the Russian monopolist.” said Minister Piotr Naimski, Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure.
“The GIPL, which integrates the so-far isolated Baltic States and Finland into the single EU gas market, is in the final phase of its construction. Energy independence is strengthened by a sold link to the rest of the European continent. For decades, the connection between Lithuania and Poland has been a missing link in our energy infrastructure. With more sources of gas supply, we will be able to ensure the security and reliability of gas supplies, decide where to source our energy from and respond more flexibly to price changes on the gas market. The GIPL will also open up the possibility of continued use of the Klaipeda LNG terminal, and, in the future, will be adapted to transport green hydrogen.” said Dainius Kreivys, Lithuanian Minister of Energy.
“The Poland-Lithuania interconnection is another large infrastructure project implemented by GAZ-SYSTEM that is currently nearing completion. The progress of construction works on the 343-kilometre-long section of the gas pipeline in Poland is more than 90%. Today’s symbolic ceremony of the golden weld on the Polish-Lithuanian border heralds the completion of this project expected in Q3 2022” said Tomasz Stępień, President of the Management Board of GAZ-SYSTEM.
“The physical connection of the Lithuanian and Polish gas transmission systems marks a historic moment as Lithuania’s infrastructure has finally been integrated with the gas infrastructure of the rest of Europe. This opens up more opportunities for us to supply gas and, in the future, to plan the restructuring of the network in preparation for the use of hydrogen and other green gases. The construction progress of the GIPL in Lithuania is 95% – we have obtained the certificates of completion for three out of the four stages of the project and are moving quickly towards the completion of this strategic energy project. Our plan is to put the pipeline into operation in 2022.”  said Nemunas Biknius, CEO of Amber Grid.
The Poland-Lithuania interconnection has a total length of about 508 km and a diameter of DN 700. The gas pipeline route on the Polish side (from Hołowczyce Gas Compressor Station to the Polish border) is 343 km long and crosses the territory of three Voivodeships: Mazovian, Podlaskie and Warmian-Masurian. The length of the gas pipeline on the Lithuanian side is about 165 km and the route ends at the Jauniunai Gas Compressor Station in Lithuania.
The works are proceeding smoothly and according to plan with construction works scheduled for completion by the end of this year. The testing, pressurisation and commissioning of individual facilities and pipeline sections are being carried out in parallel.
Also in progress is land reclamation including top-soil restoration and clean-up work. The process of handing over the sites back to landowners has already begun.
The Poland-Lithuania gas pipeline is a project of European significance. The European Commission has granted the PCI (Project of Common Interest) status to the project. The construction of the gas pipeline is co-financed by the European Union under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF – Connecting Europe Facility), which includes the engineering and construction of the gas pipeline.