Bulgaria is on the verge of completing key stages of the construction of the Vertical Gas Corridor on its territory. By the end of 2026, two of the planned projects under the initiative connecting gas infrastructure from the South to the North will become operational, creating a real opportunity for LNG transit, including U.S. LNG, from Greece to Ukraine and countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Minister of Energy Traicho Traikov stated during a Ministerial Meeting in Washington on the topic of gas supply security and diversification in the region.

Projects are underway to expand the capacity of the key interconnection points IP Kulata/Sidirokastro (Greece – Bulgaria) and IP Negru Vodă/Kardam (Bulgaria – Romania). The Vertical Gas Corridor represents the “motorway” from the South to the North along which up to 10 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas can annually be transited towards Ukraine and the broader region via the IP Negru Vodă 1/Kardam.

Our country has already applied for partial grant funding under the European Union Modernisation Fund. If approved, it will allow the development of a competitive tariff structure to the benefit of both Bulgarian and regional users of the gas transmission network.

The interconnection points at Stara Zagora and Komotini (Greece) are expected to be made operational with an increased capacity next year. Along with the strategic role for source diversification, these projects will provide natural gas traders with even greater flexibility in managing supply and access to new markets.

Source: Ministry of Energy