Bulgaria and Greece celebrated Friday’s completion of a long-delayed pipeline linking the two countries. They hope it will help end Europe’s dependence upon Russian gas.
Gazprom, Russia’s energy giant, cut gas supplies to Bulgaria, a member of the European Union on April 27, after it refused to pay in rubles. Bulgaria uses about 3 billion cubic meters of gas annually, with more than 90% coming from Russia.
The 220 million euro pipeline ($226 million) will “transform the energy map of the area,” said Kiril Petkov, Bulgaria’s former Prime Minister.
The Interconnector Greece – Bulgaria (IGB), which will transport gas from Komotini in northern Greece to Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, and be connected to another pipeline that carries Azeri gas, is now operational.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek Prime Minister, stated that the completion of the “energy link” was an important moment for Europe and the Balkans. It will allow Europe to reduce its dependence on Russia’s gas after its invasion of Ukraine.
Petkov stated that Bulgaria is making progress in diversification and will begin receiving Azeri gas within the next few weeks. He also said that there were software checks to be done and permits needed before the gas can flow from Azerbaijan.
Officials from Greece and Bulgaria have stated that the 180-kilometre pipeline will be in operation by early August. It has a capacity of 3 billion cubic meters (bcm), with plans to increase this later to 5 bcm.
Greece had a gas consumption of approximately 7 billion cubic meters last year.
