Polish energy group ORLEN has united with 13 other industrial organisations from Central and Northern Europe to advance energy security and regional competitiveness via the Baltic Energy Initiative.

The signatories to an agreement signed in early September include representatives from Poland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Lithuania, Germany, Estonia, Latvia and Norway. Alongside ORLEN, the other participants are Eesti Energia, Fortum, Enefit, DNV Energy Systems, KN Energies, Topsoe, Adven, Siemens Energy, Steady Energy, Latvenergo, P2X Solutions, Gasgrid Finland, and Orsted.

Areas identified for joint cooperation include offshore wind generation, LNG/bioLNG market integration, the creation of a regional hydrogen market, carbon transport and storage, and the development of small modular reactors (SMRs).

According to a report from the EU Energy Monitor, co-operation could also support cross-border projects and joint recommendations on regulatory frameworks. Security of energy assets forms a further strand, with members planning to exchange experience on critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity and emergency preparedness, as well as responses to physical and hybrid threats.

The partners also intend to apply jointly for money from European Union programmes and other international sources.

ORLEN management board CEO and president Ireneusz Fąfara said: “The challenges facing the energy sector today are too great to be addressed by individual countries or companies acting alone.

“The Baltic Energy Initiative will allow us not only to take part in major energy transition projects, but also to influence their direction.

“By bringing together the expertise, infrastructure and investment capabilities of European companies, we can strengthen energy security, make better use of available funding, and enhance the competitiveness of the Baltic Sea region.”