site.btaBulgartransgaz and Transportgas Srbija Sign Interconnection Agreement

The Bulgarian gas transmission operator Bulgartransgaz EAD and the operator of the gas transmission system of the Republic of Serbia, Transportgas Srbija d.o.o. signed an interconnection agreement for the new point Kalotina/Dimitrovgrad, which is being developed with the Interconnector Bulgaria-Serbia (IBS). The document was signed by the Executive Director of Bulgartransgaz, Vladimir Malinov, and the director of Transportgas Srbija, Zoran Jovcic.

"The capacity of Kalotina/Dimitrovgrad is 1.8 billion cubic metres per year with the possibility of reverse flow. Bulgartransgaz's efforts to improve interconnection with neighbouring countries and ensure access to diverse sources of gas from reliable sources, including liquefied through the terminal in Alexandroupolis, are relevant for the entire region," said Malinov.

"The signing of the interconnection agreement for Kalotina/Dimitrovgrad is another step towards better integration of energy markets and deepening of energy and economic cooperation between the two countries," added Malinov. "I am convinced that access on this route to gas from alternative sources, such as Azerbaijan and liquefied gas terminals, as well as to the trading platform of the Balkan Gas Hub, which provides connectivity to the Bulgartransgaz network, will be positively appreciated by consumers in Serbia," he said.

Thanks to IBS, Bulgaria will get access to gas sources from Western Europe via a new route, and Serbia will get access to the liquefied natural gas terminals and other alternative sources in the region.

As part of the priority projects for Europe, the Bulgaria-Serbia connection is recognized as a key infrastructure that will make a significant contribution to improving energy connectivity. The EC considers the project's contribution to achieving the common goals of the EU countries, namely affordable, secure and sustainable energy for all citizens, and in the longer term, decarbonization of the economy. Under the Connecting Europe Facility, the project received funding in the amount of EUR 28 million, as well as EUR 2.8 million under OPIC.