BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 25. I am confident that the interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) will play a key role in meeting Bulgaria’s objectives of diversifying energy sources, energy security and independence, Alexander Nikolov, Bulgaria’s energy minister, said in an exclusive interview with Trend.
He noted that the interconnector Greece-Bulgaria is a key project for the country's energy security and the entire region of Southeast Europe.
“Despite the accumulated serious delay in the implementation of the interconnector, the government has taken active steps in recent months to launch the gas pipeline, which will provide the opportunity for supplies from different regions. At the moment, the gas pipeline is at its final stage of implementation, the hydro-tests throughout the entire territory have been completed, the connection of the pipeline to the Transatlantic Gas pipeline (TAP) has been carried out, the dispatching centre of Haskovo is completed, there is progress on the reactivation of the route, which shall be carried out under local legislation,” noted Nikolov.
The minister pointed out that measurement and control systems are currently being installed and tested.
“The progress of the project in recent months gives us a ground for optimism that the interconnector will be physically completed by mid-year as recorded in the latest updated project schedule. In parallel, we are striving to optimize the time limits for the implementation of the necessary administrative procedures – obtaining different licences and permits – so that the commercial operation of the facility starts as soon as possible,” he added.
---
Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn