Bulgartransgaz EAD completed the marked demand assessment for incremental capacity at the interconnection points, in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2017/459. In cooperation with neighbouring operators, the company published demand assessment reports based on demand indications from market participants within the non-binding phase that began on 03.07.2023.
The aggregated demand indications, received by Bulgartransgaz for the interconnection points (IP) of the procedures carried out amount up to:
- 155.9 GWh/d for IP Kulata/Sidirokastro, with existing firm technical capacity of 66.6 GWh/d;
- 302.2 GWh/d in total for IP Negru Voda 1/Kardam and IP Ruse/Giurgiu, with existing firm technical capacity at both points totalling 185.2 GWh/d;
- 182.4 GWh/d for IP Stara Zagora, with existing firm technical capacity of 122.3 GWh/d at Bulgartransgaz’s side.
Based on the assessment results, Bulgartransgaz EAD launches joint technical studies with the Greek operator DESFA S.A. to increase the capacity at IP Kulata/Sidirokastro, with the Romanian operator Transgaz S.A. for IP Negru Voda 1/Kardam and IP Ruse/Giurgiu, as well as with the operator of the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria, ICGB AD - to increase the capacity at IP Stara Zagora.
The Executive Director of Bulgartransgaz EAD, Vladimir Malinov commented that the received demand indications for natural gas transmission services in the North-South direction are significantly higher than the available capacities, and for certain gas years exceed more than twice the current infrastructure capabilities. According to him, in order to achieve the ambitions of the countries of Central and South-Eastern Europe for diversification, infrastructure expansion is required to be able to transport additional gas quantities from reliable sources. "The main factor for the increase in demand for transmission capacity through Bulgartransgaz network is the rising role of liquefied natural gas in the EU and the envisaged new LNG terminals in Greece, as well as the plans to increase the flows along the Southern Gas Corridor," he added.
The EU projects of common interest that Bulgartransgaz implements - the expansion of the underground gas storage in Chiren and the Bulgaria-Serbia Interconnector are of key importance as well. The implementation of the liquefied gas terminal near Alexandroupolis, where the Bulgarian gas transmission operator is a co-shareholder with 20%, is also in synergy with them. These projects provide natural gas traders with additional flexibility in management of supplies and access to new markets.
The preliminary technical studies for incremental capacity projects are planned to be completed by 15.01.2024, following which public consultations will be held until 16.02.2024. Afterwards, project proposals will be submitted for approval to the relevant national regulatory authorities. The indicative schedule envisages conduct of a binding phase of the market test on 01.07.2024.