BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 2
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
The Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) could export natural gas to countries in southeastern Europe, as well as Ukraine, the ICGB AD, a project company responsible for the pipeline’s construction, told Trend.
"The current escalation of the Ukrainian crisis makes IGB's future role even more significant on a larger scale. The parties involved in the project intend to complete it in July 2022,” said the company.
"The IGB pipeline will be a key part of the Southern Gas Corridor, which will allow diversification of supply sources and routes for countries in the region and all Eastern Europe. IGB will facilitate physical transportation of natural gas from south to north so all shippers that have the interest to transport gas to countries in Eastern Europe including Ukraine will have that option. ICGB will have two interconnection points in Greece – with TAP which will allow the flow of Azerbaijani gas, as well as with DESFA which in synergy with FSRU Alexandroupolis, this will open many possibilities for supply of natural gas from various sources including USA, Egypt, etc.," said the ICGB AD.
The former Trans Balkan route for Russian gas being transported via Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria to Greece could be used in reverse mode to flow gas from Greece via IGB to Ukraine. Currently, there is enough free reverse capacity along this route in direction to Ukraine.
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.
Currently, half of IGB’s capacity - a total of 1,57 bcm/y, is already reserved under long term contracts for up to 25 years. Due to its strategic location, the pipeline has great synergy with the planned LNG terminal near Alexandroupolis, Greece. The terminal’s commercial launch planned for the end of 2023, may additionally boost IGB’s capacity to a total of 5 bcm/y.
The IGB pipeline is scheduled for commissioning in July this year.
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