Poland faces no imminent fuel shortage despite turbulence on international markets caused by the conflict in the Middle East, Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka said.
Miłosz MotykaPiotr Podlewski / Polskie Radio
Speaking at a meeting of G20 energy ministers in Houston, Texas, Motyka said Polish energy company Orlen had secured fuel supplies „for the coming weeks.”
He said, however, that reduced availability of crude oil and petroleum products would have a significant impact on prices.
Motyka said a proposed windfall tax on fuel companies was the only way for the government to revive its Fuel Prices Down (CPN) programme, aimed at lowering pump prices amid soaring fuel costs.
He said there was no alternative way to finance the programme other than the government’s proposed tax on extraordinary profits from fuel sales.
Asked whether the government had a Plan B if the proposal were blocked by President Karol Nawrocki, an ally of the opposition, Motyka said there was no alternative to taxing fuel companies to finance the relief programme and called on Nawrocki to sign the bill.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk has pledged to revive the programme if Nawrocki signs the proposed windfall tax into law.
Motyka told reporters that the latest fuel market crisis, partly caused by disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the shutdown of Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, was the biggest in years.
Despite the disruptions, Poland faces no imminent fuel shortage, Motyka said, with Orlen having secured supplies for the coming weeks.
Motyka said he held talks with US officials, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, about preparations for a „transatlantic cooperation summit” in Warsaw in November.
He said the United States was interested in using Poland as a route for supplying gas to countries in the region, while Poland wanted regional countries to become fully independent of Russian energy supplies.
Poland is seeking to develop a gas hub based on its existing liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the northwestern port city of Świnoujście and planned new terminals, including one in the Baltic city of Gdańsk.
Motyka said Poland had received no indications that its LNG supplies from the United States could face restrictions amid the market turbulence.
On nuclear energy, Motyka said a decision on an investor for Poland’s second nuclear power plant could be made next year.
Three potential partners are currently taking part in competitive dialogue, and no decision has been made, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Motyka also said he used the Houston meeting to press Poland’s case for securing a lasting place in the G20 group of major world economies, describing Poland as a representative of the wider region and highlighting its economic growth.
Earlier this month, Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domański and central bank chief Adam Glapiński represented Poland at a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina.
Poland is not a permanent G20 member but was invited by the United States, which holds the group’s 2026 presidency, to participate in its work this year on the same terms as members.
The Polish government is seeking a place in the group in future years.
(sp/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Info
Radio Poland