Poland unveils “most radical plan in Europe” for ending Russian power imports

The Polish authorities has introduced plans to finish the import of Russian coal inside two months and of Russian oil by the tip of this yr, in what it describes as “probably the most radical plan in Europe” for transferring away from Russian power provides.

It has additionally criticised these nations which are “not doing something” to cut back their reliance on Russia, in addition to the European Fee for not taking extra decisive motion.

The brand new plan was unveiled immediately by the prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, in opposition to the backdrop of a gas storage facility belonging to state oil large Orlen, whose CEO, Daniel Obajtek, stood alongside him and power minister Anna Moskwa.

Morawiecki famous that his cupboard had yesterday accredited laws to introduce a ban on the import of coal from Russia, in a transfer that the federal government admits might contravene EU commerce guidelines.

That invoice will now go earlier than parliament, and if handed then requires President Andrzej Duda’s signature. However the prime minister expressed hope immediately that the embargo can be in place in “April, Might on the newest”.

In the meantime, “we’ll do every thing to depart from [the import] of Russian oil by the tip of the yr”, he added, quoted by the Polish Press Company (PAP). “Right here we’re presenting probably the most radical plan in Europe to depart from Russian oil”.

Morawiecki famous that the federal government has additionally lengthy been engaged on plans to “de-Russify” the nation’s gasoline provides. As early as 2019, state power agency PGNiG introduced that it might not extend its contract with Russia’s Gazprom when it expires on the finish of 2022.

Earlier this month, the prime minister introduced that Poland can be “impartial from Russia gasoline inside six months”, due to imports of liquefied pure gasoline (LNG) and a brand new pipeline bringing in Norwegian gasoline.

Throughout his remarks immediately, Morawiecki additionally criticised nations which are “not doing something concerning the struggle” and persevering with to make use of Russian power assets. He known as on the European Fee to introduce a particular tax on Russian hydrocarbons.

“There may be no repeat of the stupidity, the unhealthy, legal coverage, that created dependence on Russia and gave euros and {dollars} for Putin and Russia to construct up their navy arsenal and assault their neighbours,” stated the Polish premier.

“From the primary days of the struggle, we known as on the European Fee to behave decisively,” he continued. “Sadly it didn’t, so we have now made the choice ourselves…We’re decided to indicate the fee what decisive, radical motion is all about.”

Morawiecki stated that the federal government would do all it might to make sure that the ban on Russian power will “not hit Poles of their wallets”. This contains “an in depth plan additionally to create renewable power”, in order that Poland not has to “purchase costly uncooked supplies”, even from pleasant nations.

Talking to RMF24, Obajtek confirmed that Orlen, which presently depends on Russia for nearly 40% of its crude oil, intends to cut back this determine to zero by the tip of the yr according to the federal government’s plan. It can “do every thing to stabilise costs” through the transition, he assured.

Earlier this yr, Orlen concluded an settlement with Saudi Aramco that included the sale of some property, together with a share in an oil refinery, but additionally a long-term settlement to safe Saudi oil provides for Poland.

Principal picture credit score: Krystian Maj/KPRM (underneath CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)