Electricity

Greece’s second LNG terminal coming online on October 1

Greece second LNG terminal come online October 1

Photo: Ministry of Energy

Published

August 14, 2024

Country

,

Comments

comments icon

0

Share

Published:

August 14, 2024

Country:

,

Comments:

comments icon

0

Share

After a half-year delay, the Alexandroupolis LNG terminal in Greece is set to be commissioned on October 1, according to Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov. Slots for suppliers will be allocated by the end of the month, he said.

Bulgarian Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov was given assurances that the technical issue at the Alexandroupolis floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) is under control. The liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal offshore neighboring Greece’s northeastern coast was supposed to start operations in April.

The two countries run the project via the Gastrade special purpose vehicle. Bulgaria’s state-owned gas transmission and storage system operator Bulgartransgaz controls 20% of the firm. The works officially began in May 2022.

Fixing technical defect incurred no additional costs

Water was detected in the gas pipeline leading to the shore, according to the Ministry of Energy in Sofia. It said the obstacle was overcome nonintrusively and with no added costs. The LNG terminal is scheduled for launch on October 1, Malinov said.

Suppliers can declare the number of their cargoes by August 15, the Bulgarian minister pointed out. The slots for the LNG terminal will be allocated by the end of the month, he explained.

The expected commissioning coincides with the beginning of the gas year. “The start of commercial operation of the terminal this autumn will give a competitive advantage and ensure the security of gas supply for the upcoming winter season for the Southeast European region, in view of the potential suspension of Russian natural gas transportation through Ukrainian territory as of the beginning of next year,” Malinov stated.

Greece second LNG FSRU terminal to come online on October 1
Photo: Gastrade

Most of Balkans depend on Alexandroupolis LNG terminal for their gas ambitions

The Alexandroupolis ship, anchored near the eponymous Greek city, has a capacity of 153,500 cubic meters. The terminal will be able to turn LNG into 5.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

It is essential for the so-called Vertical Gas Corridor project, covering much of Eastern Europe. The planned expansion of Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria or IGB to five billion cubic meters per year from three billion hinges on the commissioning of the Alexandroupolis facility.

In addition, Serbia and North Macedonia also require more supply capacity and a diversification away from Russian gas.

Greece already has an LNG terminal in Revithoussa.

Comments (0)

Be the first one to comment on this article.

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

croatia us energy meeting smr warsaw nuclear institute plenkovic wright susnjar

Croatia discusses installation of small modular reactors with US

05 May 2025 - The delegations from the two countries met on the sidelines of the 10th summit meeting of the Three Seas Initiative, held in Warsaw

bih republic of srpska concession trebinje 3 solar djokic petrovic

Republic of Srpska awards concession for Trebinje 3 solar project

05 May 2025 - The Trebinje 3 photovoltaic plant would have an installed capacity of 53.63 MW and an estimated annual production of 85.5 GWh

Landmark report safety cybersecurity higher yield SolarEdge PV systems

Landmark report demonstrates safety, cybersecurity, higher yield of SolarEdge PV systems

05 May 2025 - VDE Renewables found that SolarEdge’s advanced safety capabilities minimize photovoltaic system risks and effectively prevent fire hazards

engie romania wind project Mereni Constanța

Engie Romania takes over 54 MW wind power project

02 May 2025 - The project is located in Constanța county, an area with high wind potential, recognized for its superior yields in green energy production