Slovakia to import gas from Norway and other countries

Norway and various unnamed countries will supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to help ensure Slovakia’s dependence on Russian gas imports decreases drastically, the country’s largest gas supplier, SPP, announced on Friday.

From 1 June, Slovakia will reduce its dependence on Russia by 65%, said Economy Minister Richard Sulík, despite analysts pointing out that SPP does not supply gas to every household or company in the country, and the real decrease will only be around 35%.

To become independent, Slovakia has reserved the capacity in several European LNG terminals and will import gas from Norway via a pipeline, said Sulík. While he did not specify from where LNG will be imported, a spokesman of his SaS party said a deal had been reached with “various” suppliers.

Sulík also pointed to gas from Norway not being more expensive than that from Gazprom despite prices depending on market trends.

Nonetheless, SPP will not completely stop importing from Russia.

However, Russian imports could be further decreased once the Polish-Slovak interconnector, due to be opened late this or next year, is completed. The test operation has already begun, Sulík added.

These new deals should ensure supplies are sufficient until the end of the year. All Slovak needs must be covered until 10 July, when the technical shutdown of Nord Stream 1 is expected, Sulík added.

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