Energy Union: ESI Funds improve energy connections between Germany and Poland

The Commission has awarded €9.2 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for energy interconnectors between Germany and Poland. The project involves the construction of two gas transfer pipelines in the Polish region of Dolnośląskie, Lasów-Jeleniów and Gałów-Kiełczów. The expansion of the Wierzchowice underground gas storage (UGS) facility is also being financed.  The project will increase the capacity of pipelines importing gas from Germany through Lasów, and thus facilitate the transmission of gas between the two countries. Vice-President for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič stated: “Interconnectors are central to the completion of our Energy Union”. Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Creţu, said: “This is Cohesion Policy contributing to the Energy Union in action; we provide households and businesses with secure, competitive and affordable energy”. These 59 km of newly built pipelines will help optimise the gas flow in the transmission system in Poland and cover the demand for gas in an area of 3 million inhabitants – especially during winter.