EU energy strategy too general for Poland

The recent conflicts over oil and gas prices and tarrifs on the Moscow-Minsk line have prompted the EU to give its energy security policy a more careful scrutiny. Poland, which has been striving to extricate itself from Russian energy supply dependency inherited from the Communist past, has special interest in finding effective diversification solutions.

After a three day break deliveries of Russian oil through Belarus have been resumed. Head of the Belarusian government Siarhei Sidorski is in Moscow for two days of crucial trade related talks with his Russian opposite number Michail Fradkov.

' The subjects will concern crude oil and oil products as well as other sensitive groups.'

But the bitter memories of the last few weeks of uncertainty concerning the stability of supplies coming from Russia through transit countries have left their impact. European Commission chairman Jose Manuel Barroso appealed for greater Union solidarity in tackling energy issues. He referred to the negative experience with Russian partners while presenting outlines of the EU's energy strategy prepared by the Commission.

' We are proposing to endorse the needs to make further progress in solidarity between member states in the event of an energy crisis or disruption in supplies.'

One of the main tenets of this Union energy strategy is diversification of supplies and their transport. That is why Brussels has left almost intact its priority list of energy related projects. One of the major points there is the Baltic gas pipeline linking Russia with Germany..... and bypassing Poland. This project has raised considerable controversy with the Polish authorities, reminds Beata Plomecka, Polish Radio correspondent in Brussels.

' For Poles the most important element in this energy strategy was that part of the document which deals with solidarity. And eventhough there are some sentences concerning solidarity, there are hardly any examples or statements how this solidarity would look like. These are just general remarks. There is also a list of 42 energy projects. And there's one which raises special concerns in Poland, namely the Baltic pipeline. Poland is afraid it is a threat to its energy security. However, the European Commission underlines that every project is important which guarantees supplies of energy.'

Polish experts see the Union energy strategy as an important policy document, but call for a true liberalization of the international energy market. They also point to the general character of the appeal for EU member solidarity in crisis situations, which means Poland must put greater stress on securing its own interests. Marcelina Golebiewska from the Institute for Energy Strategy in Warsaw is not surprised by the neeed for such an approach.

' European countries are not yet ready for this kind of solidarity, not only because of varying interests, but also due to differing levels of supply capabilities regarding specific raw materials. This strictly technical aspect is responsible for European countries not being ready to generate a common energy policy.'

Independent fuel market analyst Andrzej Szczesniak is even more straightforward in his assessment of the sitaution as far as Polish actions are concerned.

' We (Poland) have to be prepared and not forget the lesson of a dry oil pipeline. Years have passed and all initiatives forwarded have not materialized. This has led to energy security being an empty political slogan without any consequence. Meanwhile, all kinds of adverse developments may take place. The lack of a sound policy concerning energy security has become a dangerous burden for Poland.'

Apart from traditional means of energy generation, the EU strategy in this respect devotes much attention and stress on renewable energy. This has been a much neglected area in Poland and devoting more attention to this form could prove a beneficial move.
Source:By Slawek Szefs, polskieradio.pl