EC supports the construction of the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria
The progress of the implementation of the Bulgarian-Greek Interconnector and the European Commission support were the main topics discussed by the Minister of Energy Temenuzhka Petkova and the Vice-President of the EC Maroš Šefčovič. Both met at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP), which took place in the Turkish town Selim, Kars region. They talked about IGB as a part of the Southern Gas Corridor infrastructure.
"EC supports the construction of IGB as a vital project not only for Bulgaria, but also for the whole European Union", Šefčovič stated. Minister Petkova reiterated that the project is one of the priorities of Bulgarian government’s programme and the necessary steps to accelerate the completion of the project have been taken. She emphasized that the budget of the Council of Ministers for the current year provides 80 mln. euro for the interconnector, which is an additional expression of the willingness to speed up its implementation and operation. "At present, we are working with our Greek partners to shorten the implementation period", the Minister added.
She reminded Šefčovič that Bulgaria has already worked out a roadmap with the necessary activities and terms to be executed. According to that plan the pipeline is expected to be completed by 2018. Preliminary data estimate the project investments at about 220 mln. euro.
During the meeting Minister Petkova informed Maroš Šefčovič about the stage of development of the other interconnectors of Bulgaria with its neighbors as an integral part of securing the diversification of routes and sources of natural gas supply for the country.
"Bulgaria is very close to completing the interconnector with Romania, which is due to be ready by the end of the year", Minister Petkova said. Our country has sent to the Turkish partners a feasibility study and after their reply the technical parameters of the project will be clarified.
Minister Petkova thanked Maroš Šefčovič for the EC support to construct interconnectors, especially for IGB. She underlined that Bulgaria also needs EU support to modernize the existing gas transmission infrastructure in the country. "Bulgarian integration in the European gas transmission system will contribute significantly to the future energy security", Maroš Šefčovič insisted.