BAKU, Azerbaijan, Oct.12
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
Construction activities are progressing well and as of the beginning of October 94 percent of the welding activities for the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) have been completed, the ICGB AD, a project company, told Trend.
Stringing is now also complete, and there are over 160 km of trenching; just under 900 welds are left till completion, said the company.
“Lowering of the welded sections is completed at 78 percent and continues with a steady pace together with backfilling. AGIs are under construction, with most of the civil/structural works being finished already. One of the most technically challenging elements of the construction phase - the HDD crossings under Maritsa river and the Studen Kladenets dam, is now successfully completed.”
The IGB project enables the transmission of gas and supplies from new sources, making it key to Bulgaria's energy security and part of the national plan for diversification of gas sources. The capacity of the project is 3 billion cubic meters with the option to reach 5 billion cubic meters. Half of the capacity of the interconnector is already reserved, as four of the shippers are completely new to the Bulgarian market. A contract has been signed for the supply of 1 billion cubic meters from Shah Deniz 2 based on a long-term contract with Bulgargaz.
The conclusion of the contract for construction of the interconnector dates back from the end of 2019, as one of the main commitments of the project company in structuring IGB is the obligation to control costs within the approved budget, which will ensure competitive transmission for customers. The delay in construction activities and the approved update of the construction schedule for the end of 2021 are due to objective reasons related to the global coronavirus pandemic and do not lead to direct losses. The established alternative route through the Greek system and Siderokastro provides a temporary solution for servicing the contract with Azerbaijan until IGB is put into commercial operation.
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