North Macedonia will join the Vertical Gas Corridor initiative in September in Thessaloniki through the signing of a declaration, the Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources announced. It was recently agreed in Athens for the country’s transmission operator Nomagas to be included in the regional cooperation framework for supplying Central and Eastern Europe via Greece, with an emphasis on liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.
The Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources of North Macedonia announced that the country has succeeded in obtaining an invitation to join the Vertical Gas Corridor.
It is one of the most significant European initiatives for the diversification of natural gas supply and the strengthening of energy stability in Southeastern, Central, and Eastern Europe, the announcement reads. The ministry added that the expansion of the corridor to the Western Balkans is the result of intensive diplomatic activities it conducted, led by Minister Sanja Božinovska.
During her visit to Washington DC in April, she met with high-ranking representatives of the United States administration. The discussions placed an emphasis on the importance of developing regional energy connectivity and diversifying natural gas supply.
Nomagas was endorsed to access regional framework
The activities were continued at a meeting on energy transition in Athens with energy ministers from the region, after which the process of expanding the Vertical Gas Corridor to the Western Balkans was launched.
The decision was confirmed at a recent meeting of gas transmission system operators, also held in Athens. It was agreed that Nomagas would join the regional framework, which comprises Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Slovakia, and Hungary. Serbia is also in the process of joining, and the two Western Balkan countries are working on a gas interconnection project.
Two interconnectors to diversify North Macedonia’s gas sources
For the Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources, it is a significant step in reaching the strategic goal – for North Macedonia to become an active part of the European energy network, with a secure, diversified and competitive supply of natural gas.
The initiative also builds upon the construction of the interconnector with Greece, which is expected to become operational in 2027. With the two said interconnectors, North Macedonia will for the first time gain access to multiple sources of natural gas, including LNG, the ministry underscored.
Interconnectors with Greece and Serbia will be part of the European grid
“By joining the Vertical Gas Corridor, the strategic value of these infrastructure investments significantly increases, too. Instead of being just national projects, the interconnectors with Greece and Serbia become part of a wider European transport network, which will enable better capacity utilization, greater flexibility and a higher level of supply security, thereby making the country an important transit point for gas supply in the region and Europe,” Božinovska stated.
The formal accession to the initiative is expected in September in Thessaloniki, when the accession declaration will be officially signed, the ministry revealed.
