Expanding domestic fuel storage capacity, improving supply security, modernizing transmission infrastructure, and deepening international cooperation are now key priorities in reinforcing Poland’s energy security at a time of dynamic geopolitical change. The logistics and fuel company PERN has just commissioned three new liquid fuel storage tanks in Dębogórze, northern Poland, and plans to build additional facilities in other locations. The company’s investment budget for next year is set to reach PLN 560 million.
“In Dębogórze, we have commissioned three new diesel fuel tanks, each with a capacity of 50,000 cubic meters. This investment responds to Poland’s growing need to store mandatory fuel reserves,” said Daniel Świętochowski, President of the Management Board of PERN, in an interview with Newseria.
Strengthening national fuel reserves
According to the Governmental Agency for Strategic Reserves (RARS), Poland’s crude oil and petroleum product reserves are maintained to ensure national fuel supply in the event of disruptions, as well as to fulfill international obligations. The country’s intervention reserves consist of mandatory stocks—created and maintained by producers and traders—and agency reserves managed directly by RARS.
Under current law, producers and traders are required to maintain reserves equivalent to 50 days of average daily fuel production or imports based on the previous year’s figures.
The Dębogórze investment increased the terminal’s storage capacity by 41%, bringing its total to over 500,000 cubic meters, making it the largest facility of its kind in Poland. Across all PERN sites, this expansion represents a 5.66% increase in total fuel storage capacity. In total, the company now operates 889 storage tanks dedicated to fuels.
“PERN plans to build three more tanks at two terminals—two in Koluszki near Łódź and one in Kawice in Lower Silesia. This marks another stage in our investment strategy focused on maintaining mandatory reserves,” Świętochowski added.
The Koluszki terminal will include a 33,000 m³ tank for Class III products and a 24,000 m³ tank for Class I products. In Kawice, a 33,000 m³ tank will be built for Class III fuels. All new tanks are expected to be operational by the end of 2027.
“We are also in the design phase for another seven tanks with a combined capacity of 250,000 cubic meters. Decisions regarding their construction will be made in the future,” the PERN CEO noted.
According to the Ministry of Energy, the new storage facilities will enhance the flexibility of Poland’s fuel market and improve the security of strategic reserves for the national economy.
Expanding logistics and port infrastructure
PERN is strengthening not only its storage but also its logistics capabilities. In the summer of 2025, the company expanded the rail loading station at Fuel Base No. 21 in Dębogórze by adding two new loading platforms. The terminal now has eight rail loading stations, increasing its throughput capacity by an additional 4,000 m³ per day.
“The expansion in Dębogórze can positively affect handling costs because we plan to enable the unloading of tankers with volumes two to three times larger than current ones. This will significantly reduce the unit cost of fuel receipt and dispatch,” explained Świętochowski.
“Another key investment, also within the oil and fuel market, is a new unloading berth at Naftoport, where PERN is the majority shareholder.”
Growing investment program
In 2024, PERN completed investment projects worth PLN 318 million. This year’s total is expected to reach nearly PLN 400 million, while planned investment spending for 2026 is estimated at PLN 560 million. Additionally, the company will allocate PLN 124 million next year for infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.
PERN is also continuing its HDD Crossing Program, worth PLN 140 million, which involves reconstructing pipeline sections running under rivers. The program aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of Poland’s crude oil and fuel transmission system while reducing long-term maintenance and repair costs. Sections under the Żerański Canal and Noteć River have already been modernized.
Cooperation with NATO to integrate Poland’s fuel infrastructure
On October 3, 2025, PERN signed a preliminary cooperation agreement with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) for the development of Poland’s fuel infrastructure and its connection to the NATO pipeline network. The plan also includes the construction of fuel depots for the Alliance’s armed forces, representing a dual-use (civilian and military) project of strategic significance for both energy and defense security.
“PERN sees its role in Poland’s energy security system as a key entity ensuring fuel logistics continuity during potential crises or market disruptions. We’re no longer talking solely about commercial operations, but also about resilience to unpredictable geopolitical events,”
emphasized Świętochowski.
