Poland seeks LNG port as fast as possible

WARSAW, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Poland's government supported on Tuesday the construction of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) port on the Baltic coast as a strategic investment in the country's drive for energy supplies diversification. Poland uses around 14 billion cubic metres of gas every year but produces only about one-third of the amount and almost half of its gas import come from Russia.

To diversify the country's gas supplies, Polish gas monopoly PGNiG PGNI.WA signed a few deals that could allow it to import gas from other countries and is in works to construct the LNG terminal in northern city of Swinoujscie.

"The LNG terminal, as a strategic investment, should start operating as soon as possible," the government statement said.

Earlier, PGNiG said the terminal would take around 2.5 billion cubic metres annually and cost 440 billion euro. Later the company said, however, the port could be more expensive. (Writing by Gabriela Baczynska)