Poland’s plans to develop the Wolin East oil and gas field in the Baltic Sea have drawn sharp criticism from German officials and environmentalists, who have raised concerns over potential ecological damage and transboundary impacts. The project, spearheaded by Canadian company Central European Petroleum (CEP), has been met with opposition over its potential effects on the region’s tourism and natural environment. The proposed drilling site lies just 6 kilometers off the port of Swinoujscie on the Polish-German border, where the island of Usedom is renowned for its holiday resorts. CEP has described the discovery as Poland’s largest hydrocarbon find in a decade, with estimated recoverable reserves of over 33 million tons of oil and 27 billion cubic than gas.
German officials, including Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Environment Minister Till Backhaus, have criticized Poland for not adequately informing Berlin about the environmental risks of the project. Backhaus warned that the plans run counter to the environmental and tourism interests of the German side, and accused Poland of failing to comply with cross-border environmental agreements by not disclosing the project’s potential impacts in advance. Additionally, concerns have been raised about noise, vibrations, and potential damage to marine flora and fauna, with local authorities and environmental groups calling for clarity and protection from Berlin’s perspective.
Environmental group Lebensraum Vorpommern has accused Poland of risking the nature-protected Wolin Baltic Sea coast, warning of an impending environmental catastrophe. The group has announced plans to sue the Polish government for failing to secure proper protections for the region. Meanwhile, Polish officials have defended the project, calling it a breakthrough that could significantly reduce the country’s reliance on energy imports. Undersecretary of State and Chief Geologist Krzysztof Galos noted that the deposit may cover 4-5% of Poland’s annual oil demand, with production expected to begin in 3-4 years, assuming all necessary permits are granted.
The European Union has been actively seeking alternatives to Russian energy supplies following the reduction of imports due to Ukraine-related sanctions. However, the ongoing situation has prompted Moscow to declare the restrictions as illegal and warn that the bloc may be forced to rely on more expensive alternatives or indirect imports. As the debate over the Polish oil project continues, tensions between Poland and its northern neighbor remain a potential flashpoint in the region’s energy and environmental policies.