BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 7. The Interconnector
Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) is expected to start operating with expanded
capacity as of the fourth quarter of the next year, Teodora
Georgieva, Executive Officer of ICGB, the pipeline operator, said
in an exclusive interview with Trend.
“As for potential timeline, we’re hopeful to operate with
expanded capacity as of Q4 2025 for the IP at Stara Zagora and as
of Q4 2026 for the IP at Komotini,” she said.
Georgieva noted that physical works will begin as soon as all
relevant procedures have been completed – design, procurement,
selecting and awarding a contractor for construction and purchase
of equipment.
“ICGB will follow the relevant national and European legislation
and the industry’s best practices when putting together all these
procedures, just as we have done during the construction phase of
the pipeline. Transparency is just as key for us, as it’s always
has been,” added the executive officer.
Georgieva pointed out that with IGB being part of the Southern
Gas Corridor thanks to its direct connection with TAP, it will also
be of strategic importance to explore the potentials and further
enhancement of the current infrastructure’s capacity to enable
increased supplies via TAP and TANAP in synergy with the
Trans-Balkan pipeline.
Market tests
Georgieva pointed out that ICGB is working to speed up the
market test process for capacity expansion.
She noted that ICGB launched the non-binding phase of the
incremental capacity process in 2023 – only about a year since the
start of the pipeline’s commercial operations.
“The results – although not binding at the moment – were well
beyond what we as a TSO hoped to see. This is why we took the
strategic decision to act fast and try to optimize whenever
possible the timeline for an expansion process, allowing IGB’s
capacity to go from 3 bcm/y to 5 bcm/y. This is of major
significance to the overall strategic goal to accommodate 10 bcm/y
of LNG from the terminals Greece and Caspian gas through the
Southern Gas Corridor to reach the markets of Moldova, Ukraine,
Hungary and Slovakia,” added Georgieva.
The executive officer pointed out that the binding phase will be
in July 2024.
“Meanwhile, we’re working close with other adjacent TSO and with
the respective regulatory authorities to try and speed up all
relevant processes. Given the region’s dynamics and changed
security environment, the market needs new, secure and predictable
routes for diversified deliveries and as TSOs our job is to make
this possible,” she noted.
The executive officer went on to add that IGB entered the
current gas year with over 82 percent of its capacity booked.
“IGB’s providing for nearly a half of Bulgaria’s internal
consumption needs especially now, in the winter season. All other
quantities are being transported beyond our network, including via
the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline, to reach other European markets.
Currently, IGB has over 20 registered network users, most of which
are European companies,” she said.
Georgieva pointed out that ICGB’s top strategic goal right now
is its commitment to expand the pipeline’s technical capacity to
reach 5 bcm/y.
“As mentioned, we’ve already selected a contractor for the
design phase for GMS Stara Zagora. Upon completion, procurement and
construction are to follow and our team will be working to prepare
these procedures as a priority.
We also have presented for public consultation the draft project
proposals for IP Komotini with the Greek national operator and for
IP Stara Zagora with the Bulgarian national operator. With last
year’s annual auction and the company’s strategic decision to offer
quasi-annual capacity at the IP with DESFA to allow transport of
quantities from the FSRU in Alexandroupolis upon launch, IGB
entered the current gas year with over 82 percent of its capacity
booked. This number remains dynamic as we continue carrying out
monthly, weekly, and daily auctions offering the remaining capacity
at each IP on the PRSIMA platform and the RBP. I must say that the
market’s interest in this route remains high and with the LNG
terminal in Greek launching soon, there are prerequisites to
expecting a solid increase in the route’s significance for the
region,” she added.
Priorities of IGB’s operation
Georgieva noted that the priorities are all about expanding the
technical capacity of IGB and securing safe, reliable operations of
the pipeline on daily basis to meet all nominations.
“We’ve had our first flawless 365 days with no incidents,
fulfilling all client nominations and this was rewarding and truly
inspirational for the entire ICGB team. We’re determined to
continue working just as hard to maintain this track record and
continue insuring safe operations – both for our employees and for
IGB’s network users,” she said.
Georgieva noted that the other major area of focus for ICGB’s
efforts is – of course – the incremental capacity process and the
goal to expand the pipeline’s technical capacity to 5 bcm/y.
“We’ve also been working hard with other TSOs within the
Vertical Gas Corridor to better plan and coordinate the development
of the existing infrastructure in the region for improved security
and diversification of supplies. Just recently Moldova, Ukraine and
Slovakia joined the initiative and ICGB spearheaded the process as
part of our continuous commitment to strengthen the energy security
in the region,” the executive officer added.
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