– We have never experienced such confusion, probably never with such a great crisis – said Wojciech Balczun, Minister of State Assets, on Polsat News on Monday, commenting on rising fuel prices in connection with the conflict in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the minister, Orlen “minimizes its retail margin as much as possible, of course without being able to act to the detriment of the company.” — Other instruments are in the hands of the state. What is crucial for us is to secure supplies and stability, so that there are no shortages at gas stations, he emphasized.
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What can Orlen do? The minister spoke
Wojciech Balczun said that Orlen can manage its margin and it is within its scope. – Excise duty, VAT, and the issue of discussing the Act on Excessive Profits are also potentially being considered – admitted the minister
When asked about specific solutions that would reduce fuel prices, the head of the ministry emphasized that “there is no simple solution.” — We work in the crisis center every day. […] The key for us is to avoid the experience of 2023, when the pumps did not work due to fuel shortages. Fuel tourism has appeared, especially on the Western Wall, he said.
– We are preparing very carefully for all scenarios, observing what is happening on the markets, observing all announcements that affect the prices of a barrel of oil and diesel prices – he added.
Wojciech Balczun also pointed out that Orlen controls just over 60 percent. fuel market in Poland. — We have to look at other importers, those who have franchises at gas stations. We need to take into account many different perspectives. It's not like Orlen can decide on its own what the market will look like and what prices will look like, he emphasized.
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Wojciech Balczun about energy raw materials in Poland. “We are secured”
The minister assured that there will be no shortage of oil and gas in Poland. — We are absolutely safe in this matter. As for gas from Qatar, it is 9%. what we import. […] We have secured reserves, both oil and gas, he noted.
The head of the Ministry of State Assets also admitted that coal remains and will continue to be part of the energy mix. – We only need good, modern, restructured and cost-effective mining – said the minister.
— Mining will remain with us for years, but rather as a buffer constituting an element of the state's energy security. We have mines that have proven that this can be done (extracted) effectively, the Bogdanka mine (Lubelski Węgiel Bogdanka), for example. We are currently working with the Minister of Energy on system solutions for mining, the minister said, adding, however, that primarily new gas, nuclear power and SMR facilities will be built.
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