Denmark on May 19 offered its support to the Baltic Pipe project, a gas link that would connect Poland to Norweigan fields using existing Danish infrastructure as part of the route.

The declaration by the CEO of Danish state-owned company Energinet.dk is the first sign of interest by either of the potential partners. The idea was floated by Polish state-controlled gas company PGNiG earlier this year, but drew no support from outside Poland until now.

PGNiG would like to build the pipeline to tap into its gas fields on the Norwegian Continental Shelf and thus secure another source of gas for Poland. Ramping up production is also one of the priorities in the company’s recently updated energy strategy. Warsaw gets about two thirds of its gas from Russia, but has been working to reduce that dependency by building LNG infrastructure and expanding the gas grid network.

"It's a good moment for the construction of Baltic Pipe, we see considerable support for this project and I hope we will kick it off,” Peder Andreasen, CEO of Energinet.dk told the European Economic Congress in Katowice. The project will ensure "diversification of gas supplies, improve security and lower costs," he added.

This is the first statement of support for the international project from outside Poland, after Norwegian oil and gas company Statoil and gas grid operator Gassco dismissed the suggestion in January. Warsaw claimed in mid-April, however, that talks are underway with Copenhagen and Oslo.