The construction of the 508 km length pipeline which connects Polish and Lithuanian transmission systems is coming to an end. The Polish and Lithuanian Transmission System Operators (TSOs), i.e. respectively OGP GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. and AB Amber Grid decided that the partial capacity of GIPL pipeline will be available from 1 May 2022. The full-scale commissioning of the GIPL project will take place in October 2022.
The Minister of Energy of Lithuania Mr. Dainius Kreivys says that the planned start of GIPL gas interconnection is very important in the history of energy independence of Lithuania, first of all in terms of security of supply.
"In the context of today's geopolitical tensions, the integration of the Baltic and Finnish markets into the common European gas market is a guarantee of energy security and independence for the entire region. More gas supply sources give us more flexibility in ensuring the security and reliability of gas supply and will open more opportunities for the Klaipėda LNG terminal” says Mr. D. Kreivys.
"As of 1 May we will be able to exchange natural gas with Europe via the GIPL gas interconnection between Lithuania and Poland. This important and previously planned step let us to achieve the goal of the strategic infrastructure GIPL project - to open a new, alternative source of gas transportation to the region" says Mr. Nemunas Biknius, CEO of Amber Grid.
Technical capacity for direction from Poland do Lithuania (exit) will amount to 230 000 m3/h or 2.6 GWh/h from 1st May 2022 to 30th September 2022 (that annually amounts up to 2 bcm/a or 22.5 TWh/a).
Interruptible capacity for direction from Lithuania to Poland (entry) will amount to 217 000 m3/h or 2.4 GWh/h from 1st May 2022 to 30th September 2022 (that annually amounts up to 1.9 bcm/a or 21 TWh/a).
The initial capacities in both directions will be offered to be booked in April 2022 at the GSA capacity booking platform (GSA Platform). The GSA Platform provides a single IT tool to shippers for booking gas transmission capacities of Santaka IP ( Interconnection Point P between Poland and Lithuania).
The GIPL project primarily aims at establishment of bi-directional gas transmission pipeline linking natural gas transmission systems of Poland and Lithuania, allowing for eliminating so called energy islands, i.e. regions being so far not integrated with the EU energy market such as Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, as well as Finland.
The construction of the gas pipeline was granted a status of "Project of Common Interest" (PCI), co-financed by the European Union under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and the Trans European Networks - Energy - TEN-E instruments.
