The Directorate General „European Funds for Competitiveness”, Operational Programme „Innovation and Competitiveness” 2014-2020 managing authority, invited Bulgartransgaz EAD to make a call for proposals under the awarding procedure for grants directly to a specific beneficiary: BG16RFOP002-4.003 „Technical support to secure the completion of the preparatory works, required for the start of the construction works for the Interconnection Bulgaria-Serbia as per Priority axis 4 „Removing bottlenecks in security of gas supplies“, Investment priority 4.1. „Promote energy efficiency and security of supply through the development of intelligent energy transmission systems“ of OPIC 2014-2020.
The call for proposals enables Bulgartransgaz EAD to apply for a co-financing for the preparatory activities involving the update of the detailed spatial development plan of the project, the preparation of an investment design, the completion of the archaeological studies, acquisition of rights in rem and others.
As a result from the implementation of these preparatory activities the design stage of the interconnection between Bulgaria and Serbia will come to an end and the required building permits will be issued.
The funds under the call for proposals total to BGN 11 734 980 and are ensured by the EU through the European Regional Development Fund and national co-funding.
The Interconnection Bulgaria-Serbia is of particular importance in ensuring security of energy supply not only for Bulgaria, but for the region and the EU as well. The Interconnection has the status of a project of common interest for the EU and is included in all lists of projects of common European interest to date. IBS is an important part of the realisation of the Balkan Gas Hub concept as well.
The pipeline from Novi Iskar in Bulgaria to Niš in Serbia is of planned length of 170 km, 62 km of which on Bulgarian territory. Following its construction, the gas interconnection will have a throughput capacity of 1.8 bcm/y with a reverse flow option.
In May 2018 the energy ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Serbia signed a Joint Declaration on the construction of the gas interconnection. Bulgartransgaz EAD has been determined to be the project promoter and future operator of the interconnection on the Bulgarian territory. A joint commitment has been made by both parties to build and commission the gas pipeline by May 2022.