In line with the strategic objectives of the initiative, nominations will be limited to exit to Ukraine only – without access to national virtual trading points or internal exit points in transit countries.
The independent transmission operator ICGB, in cooperation with the gas transmission system operators of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine, is ready to launch two new cross-border bundled capacity products – Route 2 and Route 3. These strategic natural gas transmission routes will increase energy security in the region and provide additional direct access to supplies from Northern Greece to Ukraine, with the possibility of connecting to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Alexandroupolis and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).
The new bundled capacity products have been approved by the ICGB Supervisory Board and will be submitted for consideration by the national energy regulators of the respective countries.
Route 2 and Route 3 build on the already announced Route 1 product, part of the Vertical Gas Corridor development initiative. Their main goal is to facilitate the timely and cost-effective injection of natural gas into Ukraine's underground gas storage facilities before the winter season.
Route 2 starts from the Amphitrite interconnection point of the DESFA network, passes through the Greece-Bulgaria interconnection (IGB) and continues along the Trans-Balkan corridor as follows:
Amphitrite → Komotini (IGB) → Stara Zagora → Negru Voda 1 / Kardam → Isakcha 1 / Orlovka → Kaushani → Grebeniki
Route 3 starts from the ICGB interconnection point with TAP and follows the same route:
Komotini (entrance to IGB from TAP) → Stara Zagora → Negru Voda 1 / Kardam → Isakcha 1 / Orlovka → Kaushani → Grebeniki
To make these products competitive, all transmission operators on the route have united around the decision to apply a 25% discount on the standard monthly tariffs. ICGB and Ukrainian operator GTSOU are taking an even more decisive step, offering a 46% discount – the most significant in the region – as a clear sign of their shared commitment to Ukraine’s energy sustainability and to enhanced regional cooperation. The capacity will be offered only in the form of monthly products. In line with the strategic objective of the initiative, nominations will only be allowed for exit to Ukraine – without access to national virtual trading points or internal exit points in transit countries.
With the introduction of Route 2 and Route 3, ICGB is reinforcing its role as a key part of the Vertical Gas Corridor, connecting diversified natural gas sources from the South to markets in Southeastern Europe, Ukraine and Moldova. The company’s decision to offer the largest discount in the region underlines its long-term commitment to regional solidarity, energy security and strategic flexibility.
“We are grateful to the ICGB Supervisory Board for their support of this important strategic initiative,” said ICGB Executive Directors George Satlas and Teodora Georgieva.
"This decision reflects our shared commitment to strengthen regional cooperation and enhancе energy security across the South-Eastern European region. We look forward to receivе the necessary approvals from national regulators along the route of both routes and to continuе to work closely with the other transmission operators in the initiative. Together, we have built a lasting partnership to provide reliable, efficient and cost-effective access to natural gas for Ukraine and the region."
Editor's note:
The IGB (Intersystem Gas Connection Greece-Bulgaria) pipeline is operated by the joint investment company "ICGB" JSC, registered in Bulgaria in 2011 with shareholders BEH JSC (50%) and IGI Poseidon (50%). The co-shareholder IGI Poseidon is a company registered in Greece with shareholders the Greek company DEPA International Projects S.A. (50%) and the Italian energy group Edison S.p.A (50%).
In accordance with its articles of association, ICGB AD is the owner of the IGB gas pipeline, financing its implementation, allocating its transmission capacity and receiving revenues from the transmission of natural gas.
The IGB gas pipeline is connected to the Greek national gas transmission system (DESFA S.A.) and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP AG) in the area of Komotini (Greece), and to the Bulgarian gas transmission system (Bulgartransgaz JSC) in the area of Stara Zagora. The total length of the gas pipeline is 182 km, the pipe diameter is 32’’ and the design capacity is up to 3 billion m3/year in the Greece-Bulgaria direction. Depending on the market interest in using a larger capacity and the capabilities of the neighboring gas transmission systems, the capacity is designed to increase to 5 billion m3/year.
Source: Diana Zaikova, 0885/074 422, 0885/614 131; Rositsa Donkova, 0888/343 661