site.bta10-Year Plan for Gas Transmission Network Development Discussed at Public Meeting

A Bulgartransgaz plan for the development of natural gas transmission networks in the period 2024-2033 was discussed at a public meeting hosted by the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) on Wednesday. A report on the plan, compiled by a working group, was published earlier on the EWRC website.

The Bulgarian Association for Natural Gas, Aresgas, Overgas Networks, Bulgartransgaz and local government officials from the southwestern municipalities of Razlog and Bansko joined the discussion.

According to the 10-year plan of the gas transmission operator, the implementation of energy connectivity projects will ensure the security of gas supplies to Bulgaria and the region and the diversification of gas sources and supply routes. In the context of developing gas infrastructure in the region, Bulgartransgaz will expand the underground gas storage facility at Chiren and will upgrade and renovate the country's gas transmission network. The company's projects will contribute to the effectiveness and the development of the European single gas network.

One of the key projects in the plan, related to the expansion of natural gas transmission infrastructure, is the Vertical Gas Corridor which will link Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary, with extensions to Ukraine, Moldova and Slovakia, which joined the initiative in early 2024. Under the project, Bulgartransgaz will enlarge the gas transmission capacity at the Sidirokastro/Kulata interconnection point in the direction from Greece to Bulgaria and the Kardam/Negru Voda interconnection point in the direction from Bulgaria to Romania.

The company will build adjoining infrastructure for transmitting high-pressure gas to the Maritsa East area in the south-central part of Bulgaria. It will provide access to natural gas for a wider range of consumers, add lower-emission fuels to the national energy mix, and considerably reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion facilities of thermoelectric power plants and other energy consumers.

The 10-year plan includes hydrogen projects such as initiatives to adapt natural gas infrastructure to operating schemes under which hydrogen can take up to 10% of the transmission volume, and to build new infrastructure for carrying pure hydrogen. Gas infrastructure is essential for phasing in renewable and low-carbon energy sources in view of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, according to Bulgartransgaz.

The company will enhance and ensure the technological security, safety and reliability of natural gas infrastructure and will make gas accessible to more municipalities and more end-consumers. The company's investment priorities include building branch pipelines to speed up gasification in Bulgaria, which will bring economic, social and environmental benefits for local communities.

The plan is expected to bring about a considerable increase of the quality and the volume of Bulgartransgaz' services for transporting and storing natural gas. It has a direct bearing on turning Bulgaria into a major regional gas hub.

One of the main issues discussed during the public meeting was the delay of projects for developing the national gas distribution network such as the Bansko-Razlog pipeline. The project has stalled for more than 10 years, although it is included in Bulgartransgaz' plans every year. A speaker noted that more than 200 of Bulgaria's 265 municipalities are left out of the gas transmission network. They can be added by building gas links totalling 800 km in length.

EWRC Chair Ivan Ivanov criticized Bulgartransgaz for delaying important projects. He called for prompt construction of the Bansko-Razlog gas pipeline and a branch to Hisarya, Karlovo, Sopot and Banya.

The regulator will make the final decision on whether to approve the plan at a closed-door meeting on July 31.