The first challenge is the investment budget. In view of the actual needs, it requires to be updated. However, money is not a universal solution
PSG Management Board Member for Operations, Jakub Kowalski
FOR THE MEDIA
• August 31, 2021
Race against time in the gas industry. PSG panel at the Gazterm 2021 conference
Natural gas is destined to be the fuel for the Polish energy transformation. However, its commercial utilisation poses a number of challenges, e.g. in terms of distribution. These issues were discussed by the participants of the Gazterm conference panel organized by Polska Spółka Gazownictwa. The panel was moderated by the director of the PSG energy department, Urszula Zając.
The panel discussion was devoted to the role of fuel gases in the ongoing energy transformation aimed at achieving carbon neutrality. The discussion was attended by: Member of the Management Board of PSG for Operations Jakub Kowalski; Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Chief National Geologist, Government Plenipotentiary for the State Raw Material Policy Piotr Dziadzio; Advisor to President Andrzej Duda Paweł Sałek, Vice-President of the Management Board of NFOŚiGW Artur Michalski; President of Tauron Nowe Technologie Artur Warzocha; and President of the Chamber of the Gas Industry Robert Perkowski.
During the discussion, PSG Management Board Member for Operations, Jakub Kowalski, spoke about the challenges to Poland’s gasification and listed a number of factors determining the pace and scope of this process.
During the discussion, PSG Management Board Member for Operations, Jakub Kowalski, spoke about the challenges to Poland’s gasification and listed a number of factors determining the pace and scope of this process.
‘Our systems are connected with the Gaz-System systems. Even if we have money, we do not always have enough time to meet the expectations of the interested parties. The full investment process between PSG and Gaz-System takes around 36 months. Therefore, many entities (e.g. heat plants) are disappointed that the connection can be made only several years later, but certain processes simply cannot be accelerated’, he explained.
The PSG's operational board member also spoke about the business side of the gasification process. ‘Unfortunately, there are municipalities without access to a gas connection now and in the near future due to the lack of investment profitability. However, we are trying to ensure that Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego starts a program that will support the implementation of unprofitable gas supplies’, said the PSG representative.
The expected shortage of contractors may also be a problem. ‘If money is found, there may be difficulties in the contractor market. The investment boom causes delays in construction work. To address this problem, we have already loosened the regulations on the admission of companies to investments. There are many challenges, but we are doing our best to overcome them’, Jakub Kowalski summed up.
The PSG's operational board member also spoke about the business side of the gasification process. ‘Unfortunately, there are municipalities without access to a gas connection now and in the near future due to the lack of investment profitability. However, we are trying to ensure that Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego starts a program that will support the implementation of unprofitable gas supplies’, said the PSG representative.
The expected shortage of contractors may also be a problem. ‘If money is found, there may be difficulties in the contractor market. The investment boom causes delays in construction work. To address this problem, we have already loosened the regulations on the admission of companies to investments. There are many challenges, but we are doing our best to overcome them’, Jakub Kowalski summed up.
