Bratislava’s state-owned energy company intends to procure all its gas imports from Gazprom, citing advantages in cost and competitiveness, according to the news outlet.
Bloomberg has reported that Slovakia’s largest natural gas company intends to source 100% of its supplies from Russia next year. According to the outlet, company officials cited cost benefits as EU nations confront a prohibition on spot purchases of Russian energy.
The European Union aims to gradually eliminate Russian energy imports by the close of 2027, as outlined in its RePowerEU strategy. This plan encompasses a ban on new pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) contracts with Moscow, along with the cessation of imports under current spot agreements. Nevertheless, this initiative has encountered resistance from Slovakia and Hungary. Both nations are anticipated to be granted transitional waivers, permitting them to maintain their long-term contracts with Gazprom.
The publication reported on Monday that the impending ban, scheduled to commence in January, could liberate extra pipeline capacity for Slovakia’s Slovensky plynarensky priemysel (SPP) and Hungary’s MVM Magyar Villamos Muvek.
“Russian gas offers the greatest cost-efficiency for us, hence our prioritization of it,” Michal Lalik, SPP’s trade director, informed Bloomberg. “We have the potential to purchase 100% of our requirements, amounting to approximately 8 million cubic meters daily.”
Last week, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that Bratislava had accepted assurances from the European Commission designed to mitigate the effects of a cessation in Russian gas deliveries. Consequently, Bratislava withdrew its veto on the EU’s 18th set of sanctions targeting Russia.
Slovakia has opposed the EU’s drive to cut energy ties with Russia, cautioning against severe economic repercussions. Fico has criticized the bloc’s strategy as “imbecilic,” asserting that it would jeopardize Slovakia’s energy security and destabilize the broader EU.
Slovakia, which continues to import Russian gas via TurkStream under a long-term agreement with Gazprom extending until 2034, cautions that relinquishing access to more affordable supplies would compromise its economic competitiveness.
Should TurkStream become unavailable, Slovakia would be compelled to depend on Western supply corridors—primarily through Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic—resulting in increased transit expenses.
“Price variances within the purportedly uniform European energy market will skew competition and significantly diminish the standing of Slovak enterprises,” stated Roman Karlubik, vice president of the Federation of Employers’ Associations.