Bulgaria’s state gas transmission company, Bulgartransgaz, is to acquire 20% of Gastrade, which is developing an EU-backed LNG terminal off the shore of Alexandroupolis, Greece.

The terminal comprises a floating LNG storage and regasification unit (FSRU) and a 28km pipeline system. The LNG storage capacity of the FSRU will be up to 170,000 cubic metres and the maximum daily regasification capacity 22.7 million cbm. The FSRU will be moored 10km offshore the city of Alexandroupolis and will be connected to the National Natural Gas Transmission System via a 28 km pipeline (24 km subsea pipeline and 4km onshore pipeline).

This is a Project of European Common Interest (PCI – EU Regulation 347/2013), i.e. a priority project for the European Union. As such this project will enhance the security of supply, diversify the energy sources and routes and support the development of competition in Greece and the wider region of Southeast Europe as well as in the establishment of a Natural Gas Hub in the region.

This project supports and creates great synergies with the Interconnector Greece – Bulgaria (IGB), a project where Bulgarian Energy Holding and DEPA participate. DEPA has already signed its participation in the share capital of Gastrade with also 20 per cent.

The IGB is a pipeline that will transmit natural gas from Greece to Bulgaria and onwards to Serbia, North Macedonia, Romania, Hungary as well as Ukraine.

The LNG Terminal in Northern Greece is expected to start operations in 2022.

For more information visit www.gastrade.gr

10th January 2020