Electricity

Market assessment underway for expansion of gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria

Market assessment expansion gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria

Photo: ICGB / LinkedIn

Published

July 8, 2025

Country

,

Comments

comments icon

0

Share

Published:

July 8, 2025

Country:

,

Comments:

comments icon

0

Share

The Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) natural gas pipeline is planned to be expanded to five billion cubic meters per year from three billion. The non-binding assessment phase is underway.

ICGB, the operator of the IGB interconnection, targets an expansion in technical annual capacity to five billion cubic meters per year from the current three billion. The company launched the non-binding phase of a process to assess market interest.

The procedure is conducted under Regulation (EU) 2017/459 (NC CAM), the network code on capacity allocation mechanisms for the sector. It marks a key step toward reinforcing long-term energy security in the region, ICGB pointed out.

Interested market participants are invited to submit their non-binding demand indications by September 1. All relevant documents and participation guidelines are available at ICGB’s public consultations page.

The market demand assessment also includes a binding phase, to determine the feasibility of the potential capacity increase. The process is being carried out in close coordination with adjacent gas transmission system operators (TSOs), according to the company.

Expanding IGB’s capacity is a strategic move for the entire region, the heads of ICGB pointed out

Expanding IGB’s capacity is a strategic move for the entire region, said ICGB’s executive officers George Satlas and Teodora Georgieva. “As the first route for diversified natural gas supplies to Bulgaria, IGB plays a critical role in ensuring secure, sustainable energy for Southeast Europe. We remain firmly committed to this process and to delivering enhanced connectivity and resilience across the region with our partners,” they added.

Following the current phase, ICGB and adjacent TSOs need to compile demand assessment reports for each interconnection point. They would form the basis for possible future steps, including project proposals, consultations and regulatory approval, the announcement reads.

Serbia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia largely depend on Russian gas, delivered through the TurkStream and Balkan Stream pipeline corridor. IGB and the Serbia-Bulgaria interconnector enable access to Azerbaijani gas and Greece’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.

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

bulgaria sunotec sungrow bess battery storage

Sunotec, Sungrow sign 2.4 GWh battery storage agreement

29 July 2025 - China-based Sungrow and Bulgarian-German company Sunotec have agreed to install 2.4 GWh of battery energy storage systems in Europe

Two small hydropower turbines to be integrated with Sofia water supply lines

Two small hydropower turbines to be integrated into Sofia water supply lines

28 July 2025 - Veolia received a green light from Bulgaria's capital city to install two hydropower generators within the city's major water supply lines

slovenia geothermal energy verde energy soyak concession

Slovenia awards first concession for geothermal exploration

28 July 2025 - It is the first concession awarded for geothermal energy, marking an important step toward decarbonizing the Pomurje region

Romania EUR 300 million subsidies geothermal heating cooling

Romania preparing EUR 300 million in subsidies for geothermal heating, cooling

28 July 2025 - A proposed state aid mechanism for geothermal district heating or cooling systems in Romania would be worth EUR 300 million