(MENAFN- AzerNews) By Ayya Lmahamad
Representatives of ICGB AD (Bulgaria), Bulgartransgaz EAD
(Bulgaria), DESFA S.A. (Greece), Gastrade S.A. (Greece), FGSZ LTD
(Hungary), and SNTGN TRANSGAZ S.A. (Romania) have signed the
renewal of the memorandum of understanding on the implementation of
the Vertical gas Corridor, in Athens, Greece, ICGB AD told
Azernews.
The adopted document aims at cooperation between the companies
regarding the realization of the Vertical Gas Corridor, which will
connect the networks of Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and Hungary and
will allow Natural gas transportation.
'The improved connectivity of the transmission systems of the
neighboring countries is in sync with the joint European priorities
in the energy sector – increasing energy security in the region,
market integration through diversification of routes and sources of
natural gas, as well as increasing competition,' the statement
reads.
The Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria, which started commercial
operation on October 1, 2022, is a key part of the development of
the Vertical Gas Corridor project. The IGB gas pipeline connects
the transmission networks of Greece and Bulgaria, providing a
direct connection to the Trans-Adriatic Gas Pipeline (TAP) and thus
making Bulgaria part of the Southern Gas Corridor.
'The quantities of natural gas transported through the
interconnector since the beginning of October provide nearly 1/3 of
Bulgaria's domestic consumption in the winter season. The new
infrastructure creates opportunities for natural gas transportation
to other neighboring countries in the region, as well as to Moldova
and Ukraine,' the statement reads.
ICGB Executive Officers Teodora Georgieva and George Satlas
emphasized the need for close cooperation between the countries of
the region to improve energy connectivity and secure more sources
of gas supplies.
'In the context of the changed energy and security environment
in the region, cooperation on the development and construction of
new energy projects to guarantee diversified sources of gas becomes
a top priority. We recognize the serious efforts that are being
made at the national and European level in terms of improving
energy connectivity and achieving energy independence through
diversification,' they said.
They highlighted the opportunities for the development of the
Vertical Gas Corridor after the successful commissioning of the gas
interconnector, contributing to energy security and sustainability
within the region.
Moreover, they added the role of IGB in this aspect will be even
more significant when the total capacity of the pipeline
increases.
'Currently, the interconnector has a maximum total capacity of 3
billion cubic meters per year. In coordination with DESFA, we have
the opportunity to increase this capacity up to 5 billion cubic
meters per year, which should happen in sync with the commissioning
of the LNG terminal at the Greek city of Alexandroupolis, expected
in 2024,' they said.
The IGB gas pipeline is designed to connect the Greek national
gas transmission system (DESFA S.A.) and the Trans-Adriatic gas
pipeline (TAP AG) in the area of Komotini (Greece), with the
Bulgarian gas transmission system (Bulgartransgaz EAD) in the area
of Stara Zagora. The total length of the gas pipeline is 182 km,
and the diameter of the pipe is 32''.
The pipeline is designed to increase its capacity up to 5 bcm/y
depending on market interest and the capacities of neighboring gas
transmission systems.
The opening ceremony of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria was
held in Komotini on July 8, while a ceremony to inaugurate the
(IGB) was held in Bulgaria on October 1.
--
Ayya Lmahamad is AzerNews' staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @ayyalmahamad
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Tags: interconnector greece-bulgaria (igb)