Therefore, pursuant to the provisions of the state fuel policy, PSE Operator, Gax System or Pern will continue to be supervised by the state. In the opinion of the Minister, it is of the essence to reflect state’s interference in the energy companies as an impassable line.
Other discussants of the panel „Can private fuel companies ensure energy security for us?” held during the Investment Forum in Tarnów, accompanying the Economic Forum in Krynica, supported this judgment. Panel moderator Dariusz Lubera, President of PKE Tauron Polska Energia, said that the market share of „big energy companies” has been growing steadily in nearly all Europe. What is even more significant, they tend to offer a comprehensive range of services, from power transmission to electrical energy production, while some are even involved in raw materials mining. Another essential quality is the diversification of activities – more and more frequently, we need to deal with mergers of energy and fuel companies.
„Hard coal is still the main energy raw material in Poland ; nevertheless, the use of natural gas and renewables is growing as well”, said Dariusz Lubera. „Like other states, we need to build strong companies. This was the case of energy industry and vertical consolidation. It is believed that one of the right solutions is privatisation or going public”.
In the opinion of Krzysztof Żuk, another equally important factor as the market regulation is the development of storage capacity and growth of supplies. „In this respect, we may copy the American model, based on enormous strategic supplies”, said the Deputy Minister of Treasury.According to Wojciecha Heydel, the President of PKN Orlen, the energy security does not depend on the equity structure but on the efficiency of the state regulator. It is about the supranational interests of the companies – for instance, Orlen is permanently interested in Lithuania’s energy security (the company owns the refinery in Mažeiki)”, added Heydel.„The interests of the state and the interests of the private owners do not need to collide”, stressed Michał Szubski, the President of PGNiG. „Energy is one of the traditional industries, and therefore it needs to be close to its clients. Thus, it cannot interfere with the interests of their customers by limitations in the supplies. Contractual penalties would ruin a company who would dare to make such steps. It can only be a single instance resulting solely from desperation.
