Bulgaria’s gas transmission system operator Bulgartransgaz completed the marked demand assessment for incremental capacity at the interconnection points, in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2017/459. In cooperation with neighbouring operators, the company published demand assessment reports based on demand indications from market participants within the non-binding phase that began on 3 July 2023.
Based on the assessment results, Bulgartransgaz launched joint technical studies with the Greek operator DESFA to increase the capacity at the interconnection point (IP) Kulata/Sidirokastro and with the Romanian operator Transgaz for IP Negru Voda 1/Kardam and IP Ruse/Giurgiu, as well as with the operator of the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria, ICGB – to increase the capacity at IP Stara Zagora.
The Executive Director of Bulgartransgaz, Vladimir Malinov commented that the received demand indications for natural gas transmission services in the North-South direction are significantly higher than the available capacities and for certain gas years exceed more than twice the current infrastructure capabilities. According to him, in order to achieve the ambitions of the countries of Central and South-Eastern Europe for diversification, infrastructure expansion is required to be able to transport additional gas quantities from reliable sources.
“The main factor for the increase in demand for transmission capacity through Bulgartransgaz network is the rising role of liquefied natural gas in the EU and the envisaged new LNG terminals in Greece, as well as the plans to increase the flows along the Southern Gas Corridor,” he added.
