Poland slashes gas price for small businesses

Poland's state-owned gas supplier PGNiG announced on January 14 it would cut gas prices for small businesses by a quarter, as part of a series of measures to shield energy consumers from higher prices.

The price cut will remain in force until the end of February, PGNiG said.  The move was ordered by the Polish government, following warnings from businesses across Poland that they face higher energy bills this year, prompting some to wind down their operations.

"I ordered PGNiG to take steps that will reduce gas prices by a fourth for business customers e.g. bakeries, hairdressers, service premises," Polish state assets minister  Jacek Sasin said on Twitter.

Poland's government has also introduced a new law to protect public institutions like hospitals from higher gas prices. The country relies on a mix of primarily Russian supplies, LNG imports and domestic output to meet its gas demand.