Poland’s Orlen ends reliance on Russian oil with new supply strategy
Polish energy giant Orlen has finalized the breakup of its last contract tied to Russian oil, according to a report on the Polsat network. The closure marks a significant shift in the company’s sourcing approach, aligning with broader moves in Europe to diversify energy inputs and reduce exposure to any single supplier.
In a statement, Daniel Obaitek, Orlen’s president, explained that there were two long-standing contracts for Russian oil, and both have now been terminated. The decision came after discussions about ceasing flows when U.S. President Joe Biden visited the region, signaling a political and strategic pivot in energy procurement. Obaitek noted that the company has already replaced the missing 10 percent of Russian oil with other supplies, affirming that diversification has been in place since 2015. (Source: Polsat)
The move reflects a deliberate effort to reshape the energy mix and reduce reliance on a single geography. Industry observers say the shift is part of a broader trend of securing alternative pipelines and storage arrangements to ensure steadier operations amid geopolitical tensions. Orlen’s leadership emphasizes that diversification is not a new tactic but a continuing strategy aimed at resilience and stability for customers across Poland and the wider region. (Source: Polsat)
Separately, the Dukovany Nuclear Power Station in the Czech Republic is transitioning away from fuel supplied by Russia. The plant will continue to receive nuclear fuel from Russia for a period, while new arrangements with the American supplier Westinghouse will take effect from 2024. This change marks a milestone in Prague’s efforts to diversify its nuclear fuel supply chain and reduce dependency on any single supplier. (Source: Polsat)
The Polsat report notes that the contract involved a 15-year term, and historical context recalls that Dukovany, located in the Czech Republic, has sourced nuclear fuel from the Soviet Union and subsequently from Russia for several decades. The current shift to Westinghouse signals an important step toward broader international diversification in Europe’s energy sector. (Source: Polsat)