The second floating LNG terminal in Gdansk may unlock the Polish gas market for new entrants. Unimot, which has already booked capacity at the planned FSRU 2, intends to become one of them. Until now, the barrier was limited access to import infrastructure, says Adam Sikorski, president of the independent Polish fuel group.
Unimot has contracted regasification capacity at the second floating LNG terminal in Gdansk, a facility designed to receive LNG from methane carriers and feed gas into the national system. The decision aligns with the company’s strategy to expand its gas business, which began in 2015 with a distribution network around Mława and Uniszki Zawadzkie.
– We started with Unimot System, about 140 km of infrastructure and sales to end customers. That was the time of market demonopolisation. Until Orlen merged with PGNiG, the process was quite smooth and many independent suppliers were active – says Adam Sikorski.
New infrastructure breaks the monopoly
The existing LNG terminal in Świnoujście and the first FSRU in Gdansk had their capacities reserved by Orlen, limiting access for other importers. The second FSRU changes that dynamic.
– Terminal FSRU 2 shows that new players can appear in gas imports. Gas will play an increasingly important role in Polish power generation. We are talking about an additional 6-7 billion cubic metres needed to fuel new power units. For Unimot, as the largest independent fuel company in Poland, this is a natural direction of development – adds Sikorski.
The company also owns RCEkoenergia in Czechowice, which is gradually moving away from coal and will develop gas-fired sources, meaning part of the imported gas will serve the group’s own needs.
Security and price drive supply choices
When sourcing gas, Unimot balances strategic security with cost competitiveness. Sikorski points to the history of the Świnoujście LNG terminal, which was initially more expensive than Russian pipeline gas but proved vital for national security.
– If LNG from the United States meets both criteria, there is a good chance we will use that direction. The US is our ally, so the first condition is met. The price remains key. We are increasing activity on the American market, I travel there often and develop contacts. Our partners must understand that the final price must be competitive for Polish industry and our customers – states Sikorski.
He also notes that other supply options may emerge by 2030, so final decisions are pending. Geographic diversification of imports is not ruled out.
Ukraine: steady fuel supply, big investments on hold
Unimot has been active in Ukraine since before the full-scale war. Since 2020, it has exported 2 million tonnes of finished fuels, making it the fifth largest fuel exporter to Ukraine globally.
– Our priority is ensuring the supply of diesel and petrol. Orlen is the largest, another Polish company is in the top five. We can be proud of that. Our infrastructure, ports and railways also benefit – says Sikorski.
However, larger investments in Ukraine are postponed due to the war. – We are in a market segment exposed to attacks. It is hard to imagine building fuel terminals in Ukraine today. Investments needed during the war are different from those after. We operate on a business as usual model since 2022 – explains Sikorski.
Unimot also imports from Ukraine to understand the domestic market, but major capital projects must wait until the post-war economy takes shape.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Unimot/Gaz-System
