Photo: Nomagas
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Greece and North Macedonia have made the final investment decision to build a 123-kilometer gas pipeline. Their first natural gas interconnection would give North Macedonia an alternative to its only supplying route from Bulgaria.
Greece’s National Natural Gas System Operator – DESFA and North Macedonia’s natural gas transmission company Nomagas have reached the final investment decision, DESFA CEO Maria Rita Galli announced at the 27th Annual Economist Government Roundtable.
She added that the Greece – North Macedonia gas interconnector entered the construction phase.
The pipeline will add a new energy supply route for North Macedonia while further strengthening the role of Greece as an energy gateway for Southeast Europe, she stressed.
Interconnector is expected to be completed by the end of 2024
The interconnector, in her words, is expected to be finished by the end of 2024. It will be 100% hydrogen-ready, supporting the transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon energy system in the region, Galli said.
Of note, a few weeks ago DESFA and Nomagas signed a contract for the supervision of the construction of North Macedonia’s section of the 123-kilometer gas interconnector.
DESFA will be in charge of the supervision of works on the 68-kilometer segment in North Macedonia. The Greek company was awarded the job in a tender procedure.
The pipeline’s initial capacity will be 1.5 billion cubic meters per year
The financing for the supervision was approved by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The EUR 2.47 million grant was paid out through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).
The interconnector will run from Nea Mesimvria to Negotino via the Evzoni/Gevgelija crossing. Its initial capacity will be 1.5 billion cubic meters per year, with the possibility of expanding it to three billion cubic meters.
DESFA also said that studies have been carried out to adopt the appropriate requirements for the pipeline to carry green hydrogen.
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