The gas interconnector between Bulgaria and Serbia (IBS) was inaugurated yesterday (December 10) in the presence of the Presidents of both countries. It connects the gas transmission networks of the two countries, diversifying supply routes and improving regional market integration. Its completion is a major achievement of regional cooperation in the Central and South-Eastern Europe energy connectivity (CESEC) initiative and a project of key importance in the current geopolitical context. One important factor is that it will open Serbia’s gas market for non-Russian gas sources.
The pipeline from the town of Novi Iskar (BG) to Niš (SR) via the Dimitrovgrad border point, with a total length of approximately 170 km, was recognised under EU energy infrastructure rules as a Project of Common Interest. It has received more than €83 million of EU funding through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), plus structural funds for the Bulgarian Section and support from the EU’s Instrument of Pre-Accession for the Serbian part. Following its construction, the gas interconnection will have an annual capacity of 1.8 bcm with a reverse flow capability.
The Commissioner of Energy, Kadri Simson, said:
'Completing the IBS is an important milestone for the Serbian diversification strategy and for regional cooperation in the CESEC High-Level Group, and another success story for EU infrastructure policy. I would like to congratulate the project developers and the Governments of Bulgaria and Serbia, for their effective collaboration and for completing the project under challenging circumstances.'
