Slovenia, Hungary agree to build gas interconnector

Slovenia and Hungary have agreed to jointly develop a cross-border natural gas pipeline, the last missing gas interconnection with neighbors for both countries. The interconnector will be designed to carry hydrogen and biomethane as well, according to Slovenian gas transmission network operator Plinovodi.

Plinovodi and Hungary’s gas transmission operator, FGSZ Földgázszállító, have signed a letter of intent to build the two-way gas interconnector. It is expected to diversify supply routes, improve access to gas storage capacities in the region, and increase the flexibility and stability of gas supply in the wider area, the Slovenian government-controlled company said.

In the first phase, the pipeline’s capacity will be 440 million cubic meters per year, which can later be expanded to 1.7 billion cubic meters, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said following the signing ceremony in Budapest, Hungary’s capital.

Szijjártó: The gas pipeline’s initial capacity will be 440 million cubic meters per year

The pipeline will enable Hungary access to liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Italy, according to him, Hungary Today reported.

Plinovodi, for its part, said the pipeline’s planned initial capacity is 50,000 cubic meters per hour, with the possibility to expand it to 190,000 cubic meters per hour.

According to Szijjártó, the pipeline will be 115 kilometers long, with about 40 kilometers to be built on the Hungarian side, along with a compressor station.

Bitenc: Creating conditions for an energy system of the future

Plinovodi also said the pipeline would be technically ready to transport renewable gases, such as hydrogen and biomethane.

“In this way, we are creating the conditions for a stable and technologically adaptable energy system of the future,” said Plinovodi CEO Matija Bitenc.

The letter of intent was signed by Bitenc and FGSZ CEO Ferencz Szabolcs at a ceremony attended by Szijjártó and Slovenian Minister of the Environment, Climate and Energy Bojan Kumer.