The European Commission has identified a need for Poland to adjust its gas storage system to comply with EU regulations. A new bill under consultation proposes centralizing responsibility within the Governmental Agency for Strategic Reserves (RARS), aiming to address these compliance issues. Despite the hope surrounding this proposal, numerous uncertainties remain.
The New Model
The primary motivation for revising the law is the current system’s non-compliance with EU regulations. Previously, the responsibility for creating and maintaining gas reserves was placed on importers and commercial entities storing gas abroad. This approach led to a fragmented security of gas supply, with the burden on these entities.
The revised bill designates RARS as the sole entity responsible for creating and maintaining strategic gas reserves. The costs associated with these reserves will be distributed among a broader range of market participants, including transmission, distribution, and storage operators who use gas for their own needs. This shift is expected to enhance market competitiveness and reduce the burden on individual entities.
Rafał Świerczyński, Logistics Director at DUON Group, supports the bill’s principles, noting the positive impact of spreading costs across more participants. He also highlights the inclusion of storage facilities in EFTA countries, provided they meet specific technical and logistical requirements.
Financial Concerns
The new system involves a monthly “gas fee” paid by obligated entities to the Fund for Intervention and Strategic Gas Reserves. This fund will finance the purchase of gas for strategic reserves. However, the financing mechanism remains one of the bill’s most uncertain aspects.
The industry eagerly awaits details on the gas fee’s final amount, which will significantly affect the financial situation of the obligated companies. For companies not previously required to pay these fees, additional costs will likely be passed on to consumers. Świerczyński points out the need for clear timelines for setting new fee levels each year.
Promise of Greater Protection
The amendment introduces a new category of protected consumers, aligned with EU regulations, who will not face supply restrictions in a crisis. This list includes households, agricultural producers, healthcare providers, social services, educational institutions, administrative buildings, water and sewage companies, and waste management firms.
The project aims to better prepare the Polish market for gas supply disruptions. Energy companies will be required to develop procedures ensuring uninterrupted supply to protected consumers for at least 30 days during a crisis.
RARS, equipped with substantial legal instruments, will bear significant responsibility. However, given its statutory role, it is well-positioned to manage such reserves, making the shift to centralization a sensible direction.
This proposed overhaul represents a significant step toward aligning Poland’s gas storage system with European standards, promising improved security and competitiveness in the gas market. However, the success of this initiative will depend on addressing the financial and operational details that are yet to be clarified.