The Baltic Pipe and its impact on energy security in Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

: In 2021, the Polish gas transmission system operator GAZ-SYSTEM, in cooperation with the Danish gas and electricity transmission system operator Energinet, began construction of a new gas pipeline from Norway to Poland via Denmark. It will be the first connection of Scandinavian co untries with Central-Eastern European countries. The Baltic Pipe gas pipeline is very important for Poland, which is gradually reducing its dependence on Russian gas supplies and strives to expand the energy infrastructure with neighboring countries in order to integrate the Central and Eastern European gas system within the North-South corridor and become a gas hub in this part of Europe. The aim of this article is to answer the following questions: How important is the Baltic Pipe for Poland? Will the gas pipeline have a significant impact on the diversification of gas supplies in short-term and will it contribute to the improvement of the energy security of Central and Eastern Europe in long-term? Will it contribute to the integration of energy systems within the North-South Corridor and the Three Seas Initiative?