Poland

Poland became the 28th Member country of the IEA on 25th September 2008.

Oil represents less than one-quarter of Poland’s total primary energy supply (TPES), which remains dominated by indigenous sources of coal. Total oil demand is expected to grow moderately in the coming decade. The resulting need for expansion in both refinery and storage capacities – as well as the heavy reliance on imports of Russian crude oil – are among the main challenges facing Poland’s oil market. However, capacity expansion and investment in the country’s supply infrastructure are already well underway, with an emphasis on strengthening the existing potential for supply diversification via the Baltic Sea.

The use of stocks held for emergency purposes, both by industry and by the government, is central to Poland’s emergency response policy. The Ministry of Economy is responsible for maintaining and implementing emergency response measures. Under the supervision of this ministry, the Material Reserves Agency (ARM) is responsible for holding some 14 days of state-owned emergency reserves, as well as for monitoring the stockholding obligation on industry. Industry’s obligation has been progressively increased in anticipation of IEA membership, rising from the 66 days required at end 2006 to 76 days by the end of 2008.