IGB Operator Announces Start Of Binding Phase For Capacity Expansion


(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 20. Following asuccessful non-binding phase in 2023, the independent transmissionsystem operator ICGB has initiated the binding phase of theincremental capacity process for the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria(IGB), the ICGB told Trend .

As part of the Vertical gas Corridor initiative, which unitesthe TSOs of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Ukraine, Moldova,and Slovakia, ICGB's efforts are focused on enabling increasedcapacity options for Natural gas deliveries to Central andSoutheastern Europe, as well as Ukraine and Moldova.

Jointly with adjacent TSOs, ICGB has published notices toinitiate the binding phase, which will determine the market'sbinding interest in booking the IGB pipeline's incrementalcapacity. Currently operating at 3 bcm/y, the interconnectorbetween Greece and Bulgaria can be upgraded to 5 bcm/y upon thesuccessful completion of the respective procedure.

ICGB invites all interested parties to submit their registrationdocuments by June 24, 2024, and binding bids during the bidsubmission window between July 2 and July 12, 2024. Subsequentsteps of the binding phase will continue in the following months,with results expected in September 2024.

The IGB gas pipeline connects with the Greek national gastransmission system (DESFA S.A.) and the Trans-Adriatic gaspipeline (TAP AG) in the area of Komotini (Greece), and with theBulgarian gas transmission system (Bulgartransgaz EAD) in the areaof Stara Zagora.

The total length of the gas pipeline is 182 km, the diameter ofthe pipe - 32'' - and a design capacity of up to 3 billion cubicmeters per year in the direction Greece - Bulgaria.

Depending on the market interest for larger capacity and thepossibilities of the neighboring gas transmission systems, thecapacity of IGB is designed with the option for increase up to 5billion cubic meters per year with additional construction of acompressor station.

Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn

MENAFN20052024000187011040ID1108233905


Trend News Agency

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.