The Czech Republic’s Gas Transmission System Operator NET4GAS launched the operation of a new 150-kilometre high-pressure gas pipeline built within the Capacity4Gas project following the issuance of all relevant permits in December 2020. With this important milestone achieved, the second and final phase of the Capacity4Gas project has successfully been completed.
“The greatest thanks belongs to our project teams, headed by Jaroslav Sedlák and Jitka Kafková and all our employees, as well as our contractors, for their efforts in finalising the project on time, despite the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Andreas Rau, CEO of NET4GAS. “With capital expenditure of just over 540 million euros as of 31 December 2020, Capacity4Gas is the biggest single investment project in the history of our company”.
The new infrastructure built within the Capacity4Gas project strengthens the connection of the Czech Republic and the whole Central and Eastern European region with the Western European gas hubs and thus secures access to diversified gas supplies at competitive prices, including access to the planned LNG terminals in Germany. At the same time, the implementation of the project enhances the strategic role of the Czech Republic in international gas transit, also with a view to the possible future transportation of renewable gases, including hydrogen.
The first phase of the Capacity4Gas project included, in particular, the construction of a new compressor station at Otvice, an interconnection with the new German EUGAL gas pipeline near the Hora Svaté Kateřiny border transfer station and an extension of the Lanžhot metering station at the Czech-Slovak border. All of these assets were put into operation in December 2019.
The implementation of the Capacity4Gas project has had a positive economic impact through major construction activities in the Czech Republic, with the strong involvement of Czech contractors and subcontractors. At the same time, it will have a positive economic impact for the Czech Republic through the subsequent operation of the newly built gas infrastructure.
