Dear Sirs,
We would like to invite you to take part in the debate:
COHABITATION. THE ROLE OF GAS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW-EMISSIONS ECONOMY
18 November 2010 (Thursday), 11.00 a.m., Polish Press Agency, ul. Bracka 6/8, Warsaw
The debate will be focused on the development of the gas market in Poland in a European context. The EU-generated catchphrase „switch from coal to gas” opens up both new possibilities and numerous difficulties. For this reason, the topics discussed during the meeting will include issues connected with the co-existence of solutions based on renewable sources and gas, diversification of suppliers, innovative means of extracting shale gas, coal gasification in the carbon bed and Polish energy regulations.
Creation of a stable energy sector based on low-emissions and dispersed energy sources requires cooperation with the gas sector. Such cohabitation could open the way for Poland in respect of the dynamic development of renewable energy sources. Problems with balancing sources dispersed with gas sources may include fluctuations in gas prices and issues of a legal nature.
The primary means of avoiding fluctuations in gas prices in Poland is to diversify supply of this fuel. Taking into account the Polish geopolitical situation, this is relatively difficult. A solution may be to stop obtaining the fuel from one foreign supplier, and instead to conclude contracts with a number of domestic suppliers. The discovery of shale gas beds in Poland gives hope that this will be possible within the not-too-distant future. Allocation of approx. 60 concessions for the extraction of this type of gas has, however, given rise to much controversy. On one hand, there are fears over the lack in Poland of complicated extraction technologies, whilst on the other there is a chance that the development of the sector will bring about the creation of a larger number of jobs and will stimulate the development of related sectors.
The development of energy based on Polish gas will be possible in Poland only following revision of the Polish Energy Law. This is why the debate will, inter alia, focus on the role of the Regulator in shaping gas prices on the market (tariffication) and in the creation of conditions for the development of competition. The current lack thereof means that the market must be regulated by means of a set tariff. The lengthy tariff establishment process means that the price of gas in Poland cannot keep up with the market price adopted in the rest of Europe. The base-stone of competition in Poland would be formed as a result of adoption of the TPA principle in relation to energy infrastructure. However, this is in conflict with the guidelines set out by financing banks, in relation to the conditions for conclusion of long-term contracts. Competition on the gas market will therefore not be possible without competition in respect of infrastructure. What are the possible solutions in this situation?
These questions, as well as other key issues, will be addressed during the debate, to which we have invited experts from scientific and political circles, who deal on a daily basis with possibilities for development of the Polish energy sector, taking into account its specific characteristics and the potential for development.
The list of invitees of the debate includes:
- Tomasz Chruszczow – Director of the Department of Climate Change and Atmospheric Protection at the Ministry of the Environment;
- Adam Szurlej – Chief Specialist of the Oil and Gas Department at the Ministry of the Economy;
- doc. Ludwik Pieńkowski – Heavy Ion Laboratory at the Warsaw University, Member of the Working Group on Science and Education at the Public Board of the National Programme for Reduction of Emissions;
- prof. Krzysztof Żmijewski – Secretary General of the Public Board of the National Programme for Reduction of Emissions;
- PhD Andrzej Siemaszko – Director of the National Contact Point for EU Research Programs, Secretary of the Working Group on Clean Coal Technologies at the Public Board of the National Programme for Reduction of Emissions;
- Marcin Lewenstein – Director of New Business Office, PGNiG SA;
- Jan Kos – Director of Gorzów Heat and Power, PGE Conventional SA;
- Andrzej Modzelewski – Director for Enterprise Development at the RWE Polska