Poland–Ukraine Gas Imports Set to Rise Under New Capacity Expansion Plan

Boosting Natural Gas Flows from Poland

According to Главком: Ukraine is moving forward with a significant increase in natural gas imports from Poland. Regulators in both countries have approved a joint project to expand capacity at the cross-border interconnection point. Ukraine’s gas transmission system operator has received authorization from the national energy regulator, NKREKP, to raise capacity on the Polish route, while Poland’s energy regulatory office, URE, has granted a similar permit.

Capacity Expansion Roadmap

A joint auction for the newly expanded capacity is scheduled for July 6, 2026, on the GSA (Gas System Auctions Platform). The project outlines two levels of capacity increases across different gas years:

• The first expansion tier will add 6.98 million cubic meters of gas per day for gas years 2030/2031 through 2044/2045.
• The second tier provides for an expansion to 10.20 million cubic meters per day for gas years 2032/2033 through 2046/2047.

Following the auction, both sides must conduct an economic test. If market demand is confirmed, Ukraine’s GTSOU and Poland’s operator GAZ-SYSTEM will move to the project’s practical implementation. This initiative is part of broader European Union efforts to gradually reduce reliance on Russian energy supplies following the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

It is worth noting that EU sanctions still lack a complete ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports, and some EU member states continue to purchase Russian LNG, including from the Yamal LNG project.

Expanding gas imports from Poland marks a crucial step for Ukraine in strengthening energy security and cutting dependence on Russian deliveries. It also aligns with the European Union’s strategic goals of diversifying energy sources and reinforcing regional energy infrastructure.

Successful implementation of this project could lay the groundwork for deeper integration of energy markets between Ukraine and the EU.