Orlen has extended the current gas tariff for another six months, keeping prices frozen for approximately 7 million customers until the end of 2026. The decision comes despite a 40% jump in global gas market quotations and was confirmed by the Polish Energy Regulatory Office (URE).
The tariff for households and selected public sector entities will remain at 197.29 PLN per MWh. Orlen announced the move on social media, emphasizing that fuel prices in Poland have been the lowest in the entire European Union for weeks.
URE approved the extension of the myOrlen gas sales tariff, effectively locking in the current rate for the second half of the year. The regulator stated that the price for natural gas and subscription fees for residential customers and certain public utility entities will stay unchanged.
Global market pressure vs. domestic stability
Despite the soaring cost of gas on international exchanges, Orlen chose to absorb the pressure rather than pass it on to consumers. The company’s press office wrote: “Despite 40% increases in quotations on global markets, until the end of the year we are also freezing gas prices for 7 million customers.”
This strategy is underpinned by a significant expansion of Orlen’s own gas reserves. In the past year alone, the group added nearly 10 billion cubic meters of gas to its portfolio, mainly through acquisitions and new discoveries in Norway and Poland. That volume equals roughly half of Poland’s annual gas consumption.
Three price cuts in twelve months
Orlen noted that over the last 12 months it had already lowered gas prices three times: twice for the fuel itself and once for distribution charges. The current freeze extends the period of predictable costs for households, many of whom are still recovering from the post-2022 energy crisis.
“This is how the energy security of Poland and its citizens is built in practice,” the Orlen press office added, referring to the increased domestic and Norwegian production that provides a buffer against external volatility. The company’s ability to shield customers from global trends has been a key element of its public messaging.
Observers point out that the move comes at a time when many European countries are still grappling with high energy bills. Poland’s approach – relying on state-owned giant to cap prices and expand upstream assets – stands in contrast to market-based solutions preferred by some other EU members.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Shutterstock
