New pipeline starts pumping gas to Europe

Gas has begun flowing down a new pipeline from Norway to Poland that will give central and eastern Europe another alternative option to Russian energy.

Poland had been dependent on Russia for its gas for decades until supplies were cut off in April after it refused to pay its bills in roubles.

The opening of the pipeline and other infrastructure means Poland is no longer dependent on Russian gas.

Polish Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, said the opening of the new link marked the end of Russia’s domination and blackmail in Poland’s gas market.

The gas flow marks a historic moment for Poland.

The plan to build the pipeline was originally conceived more than 20 years ago, but successive governments gambled that Russian gas was both cheaper and reliable.

Russia’s exploitation of its status as a monopoly supplier to charge high prices, and later its annexation of Crimea in 2014 changed minds in Warsaw.

Poland then approved projects to source gas from elsewhere.

Firstly, it built a terminal to import liquefied natural gas from Qatar and the US. Now it can receive supplies directly from Norway.

Leaks from two gas pipelines between Germany and Russia that may have been the result of sabotage have raised concerns about the safety of Europe’s energy infrastructure.

Norway has stepped up security at its pipelines.