Bulgartransgaz, Greece’s DESFA collaborate to unleash hydrogen potential

Prospective hydrogen producers, consumers, traders and suppliers can submit their expected needs, delivery points and possible production locations to Greece’s gas transmission system operator DESFA and its Bulgarian counterpart Bulgartransgaz. The public call deadline is November 30.

Greece’s National Natural Gas System Operator (DESFA) and Bulgaria’s gas TSO Bulgartransgaz are organizing a virtual workshop on September 25 within their joint nonbinding market test for hydrogen infrastructure. The two companies invited interested parties to register here for the event, where they can hear the technical details.

The public call to potential market participants closes on November 30. DESFA and Bulgartransgaz said they are developing a hydrogen market that would contribute to energy security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

They added that the assessment is for all stakeholders to express interest regarding their hydrogen projects under development, irrespective of their maturity level.

DESFA, Bulgartransgas

The target group are prospective hydrogen producers, consumers, traders and suppliers.

DESFA and Bulgartransgaz said they expect participants to express the expected needs of hydrogen transmission capacity and identify possible production locations in both countries and delivery points to end users.

The aim is to measure interest among market participants in the potential use of hydrogen in the future energy mix. Potential participants can find the forms on the web pages of DESFA and Bulgartransgaz.

Hydrogen pipeline interconnector point is Kulata-Sidirokastro

The European Commission has included the TSOs’ first two hydrogen infrastructure projects in the list of projects of common interest (PCI) and projects of mutual interest (PMI).

Bulgartransgaz is developing the first phase of the route between the Sofia region and Kulata, near the border with Greece in the area of Sidirokastro. The length is 250 kilometers. The 100% hydrogen pipeline would have one meter in diameter. The project includes two compressor stations near Petrich and Dupnitsa. Their total planned capacity is 48 MW, which would enable 80 GWh per day, according to the company.

Bulgaria’s gas transmission system operator plans to apply for the inclusion of the second phase to the PCI list. The length of the pipeline, with the same diameter, is envisaged at 330 kilometers. The project involves the installation of three compressor stations by the end of 2029.

In parallel, the company said it intends to build infrastructure within the country to connect potential users and producers of hydrogen. It conducted a hydrogen transmission market assessment last year as well.

DESFA is preparing to lay a 570-kilometer pipeline for pure hydrogen mainly from the south of Greece to the connection point with Bulgaria. The proposed diameter is 91 centimeters. Two compressor stations planned, of 30 MW each, and a capacity of 80 GWh per day.

Of note, Bulgartransgaz and DESFA each own 20% of Gastrade, the firm that built the Alexandroupolis floating storage regasification unit (FSRU).