NIK report criticizes reliance on Russian gas, supports supply diversification

The Supreme Board of Inspection has come out in support of the previous government's decision to diversify the sources of Poland's gas supplies. The diversification plan, which is strongly criticized by the present government, saw gas supply deals agreed with Denmark and Norway. A NIK report points out that had these contracts not been signed, in 2005, 80% of gas would come to Poland from Russia alone, and during the decade between 2010 and 2020, Russia's Gazprom would be the only intermediary guaranteeing gas delivery under a long-term contract. NIK also warned that the terms of the existing agreement with Gazprom could result in Poland paying for gas which subsequently could not be delivered due to a lack of technical means of transportation. NIK recommends the early renegotiation of the terms and conditions of the long-term contract with Gazprom. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p.16) A.K.