The Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović and the Head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret, visited today the works on the construction of the Serbia-Bulgaria gas interconnector.

“The construction of the gas interconnector is of strategic importance for our energy sector, since the construction of this gas pipeline will give us an opportunity for gas supplies from several sources, such as Azerbaijan, with which we are already conducting supply negotiations, and the LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis, Greece. In the previous period, we solved many challenges that the project was facing, and today the works on the most difficult section of the gas pipeline started, where the gas interconnector intersects with the highway. We expect the entire project to be completed in the fall, and we will be there to follow through until the last day, until everything is ready for the gas to start flowing”, said Đedović.

 

The Minister added that so far, around 100 km of pipes, or approximately 90 percent, have been delivered to the construction site of the interconnector, and that the physical realization at this stage has exceeded the plan.

“The construction of the Serbia-Bulgaria gas interconnector also has regional importance, which is why we have strong financial support from the EU and the EIB for this project. In parallel with the implementation of this project, we have started the preparation of spatial and technical documentation for another important project for the gas diversification in Serbia, that is, the construction of a gas interconnection between Serbia and North Macedonia”, Đedović said.

“I am glad to see how this project is progressing. The EU continues to be committed to diversifying gas supply in Serbia and increasing the resilience and competitiveness of its energy system. We eagerly await the gas that will flow through this gas pipeline during the next heating season. The EU also offered Serbia to participate in the joint procurement of gas with the EU member states,” said Ambassador Giaufret.

The length of the gas interconnector on the territory of Serbia is 109 km, and the capacity is 1.8 billion cubic meters in the direction towards Serbia. Works on the construction of the Serbia-Bulgaria gas interconnector started in February 2022, and completion is planned for the last quarter of this year. In addition to greater security of supply and diversification of gas routes and suppliers, the new gas pipeline will also enable further development of the distribution and supply gas pipeline network in the south of Serbia.

The construction of the Serbia-Bulgaria gas interconnector is financed by EU grants, which amounted to EUR 49.6 million, EIB loan in the amount of EUR 25 million with national co-financing. Also, the EU supports the construction of a gas interconnector section on the territory of Bulgaria, which is 60 km long, with a total of EUR 33.6 million.

The European Union is the biggest donor of the energy sector in Serbia, with investments exceeding 835 million EUR in grant funds since 2000. The EU is funding projects in Serbia that aim at security of supply, diversification of energy sources, market liberalization and improved energy efficiency. The ultimate goal is to reduce pollution and mitigate climate change, which are the goals of the European Green Deal and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, endorsed by Serbia in 2020.

More details on EU assistance to Serbia in the energy sector