Rafał Miland: “Our priority, fostering the integration of the energy sector in Central Europe”

Rafał Miland: “Our priority, fostering the integration of the energy sector in Central Europe”

Sep 30, 2016

Cristina Dascălu (CD): What are the priorities you will promote in Brussels, as a Vice-President of the Board of Directors of CEEP, and in regard to energy infrastructure in Central Europe? Rafał Miland (RM): The entire Board of Directors of CEEP and myself, are currently facing a very important challenge - to properly implement the basic objectives behind the foundation of the organisation - namely, fostering the integration processes of the energy sector in Central Europe, within the common policy framework of the European Union, which are rightly associated with ensuring security and diversification of supply within the sector in question. As the Vice-President of the Board of Directors of CEEP, I would like, in particular, to focus on three matters that are especially close to my heart as Vice-President of the Management Board of PERN S.A. Firstly, the development of storage infrastructure, and, above all, facilities designed for maintaining maximum stocks to improve the resistance of the EU to market fluctuations, as well as interruptions in the supply of crude oil and petrochemical products. Secondly, on the provision of EU assets for the construction of oil infrastructure, and thirdly - on the diversification of supply to improve the EU’s independence and resistance to market disturbances. CD: From your professional experience, to what extent is energy policy shaping our future energy system? RM: In my professional career, up till now, whether in Ministries or companies, I frequently observed the significant influence exerted by energy policy upon the future of our power system. The assumptions underlying energy policy, legal regulations, and financial support to selected areas, are of decisive importance, [...]
Europe needs the North–South Corridor if it is to be secure and competitive

Europe needs the North–South Corridor if it is to be secure and competitive

Apr 26, 2015

A fundamental transformation of Europe’s energy sector is needed in order to provide EU Member States with secure and affordable energy. This is the main conclusion of the ‘Completing Europe – from the North–South Corridor to the energy, transportation and telecommunications union’ debate that took place on April the 21st in Katowice (Poland). Panellists representing both European energy markets and public institutions expressed their support for the North–South Corridor proposal from the recently-published Central Europe Energy Partners (CEEP) and Atlantic Council report. The report’s main recommendation is to create an integrated set of energy, transportation and digital links across Central Europe. As perceived by CEEP and the Atlantic Council, the network should stretch from the Baltic to the Adriatic and Black Seas. Its energy component features a gas pipeline from Świnoujscie (Poland) and Klaipeda (Lithuania) to Krk Island (Croatia), with proper LNG facilities. Other key energy projects include a set of Balkan interconnectors that reach into Serbia, Macedonia, Bulgaria and other nations, as well as the East–West Corridor Gas line that stretches from Germany through Poland and into Ukraine. The North–South Corridor is needed, not only for the sake of energy security, but also for diversified energy sources at affordable prices. “As the Central Europe Energy Partners, we understand that access to competitively priced energy is one of key drivers of the economic growth. With both energy producers and energy-intensive industries on board of our organization, we work hard to empower consumers by providing them with choice and creating flexibility to manage demand and supply. The network of energy lines, transportation routes and telecommunication links that we envision stretches [...]