ICGB commissions the design of Gas Metering Station Stara Zagora (GIS2) to expand the capacity of the IGB gas pipeline

Following a tender in accordance with the Public Procurement Law, ICGB commissions a Bulgarian company to develop a detailed design for the Stara Zagora gas metering station (GIS2), which will expand the capacity of the IGB gas pipeline. The transport operator is working to develop the gas pipeline infrastructure and increase the total technical capacity from 3 billion cubic meters per year to 5 billion cubic meters per year.

The design phase is important because it lays the foundation for a smooth transition to the next phases, which include the procurement of long-lead goods and the start of construction.

At the same time, the ICGB works in coordination with neighboring transmission system operators on regulatory and permitting activities for the use and development of natural gas infrastructure in the region to improve connectivity and energy security. 

„ICGB started the design phase of GIS2 Stara Zagora even before the mandatory stage of the capacity expansion process, which is a standard procedure in accordance with the regulations. This underscores the company's strategic commitment to providing additional gas transportation capabilities in the region. A market test for power distribution at relevant interconnection points is scheduled for July 2024”, ICGB Executive Directors Teodora Georgieva and George Satlas stated.

As a next step in the process of increasing capacity, ICGB and the Bulgarian national operator „Bulgartransgaz“ have published for public comment a draft proposal for the entry-exit point at Stara Zagora. Information is available on the ICGB website and all interested parties can submit comments and suggestions until March 4, 2024. The draft proposal is also to be published jointly with the Greek transmission operator DESFA.

According to preliminary technical studies, ICGB plans to increase capacity to 5 billion cubic meters per year from the fourth quarter of 2025 for the Stara Zagora entry-exit point and from the fourth quarter of 2026 for the Komotini entry-exit point. These scenarios take into account the technical feasibility of IGB pipeline development, as well as optional requests described in the Demand Assessment Reports published in October 2023.

The Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector connects Bulgaria with the Southern Gas Corridor and is part of the Vertical Gas Corridor. The pipeline strengthens energy connectivity and security in the region by providing access to natural gas from new, diversified sources.

The IGB project (Greece-Bulgaria Natural Gas Interconnection) is being implemented by the mixed investment company „ICGB“ JSC, registered in Bulgaria in 2011 with shareholders „BEH“ JSC (50%) and „IGI Poseidon“ (50%). Co-shareholder „IGI Poseidon“ is a company registered in Greece, whose shareholders are the Greek company „DEPA International Projects“ S.A. (50%) and the Italian energy group „Edison SpA“ (50%).

In accordance with its charter, „ICGL“ JSC is the owner of the IGB gas pipeline, finances its implementation, distributes its capacity and receives income from the transportation of natural gas.

The IGB gas pipeline is connected to the national gas transmission system of Greece (DESFA S.A.) and the Trans Adriatic Gas Pipeline (TAP AG) in the Komotini region (Greece), as well as to the gas transmission system of Bulgaria („Bulgartransgaz“ JSC) in the Stara Zagora area. The total length of the gas pipeline is 182 kilometers, the pipe diameter is 32 inches, the design capacity is up to 3 billion cubic meters per year in the Greece-Bulgaria direction. Depending on the market's interest in using more power and the capabilities of neighboring gas transmission systems, the capacity is planned to be increased to 5 billion cubic meters per year with the additional construction of a compressor station.

Source: Diana Zaikova, 0885/074 422, 0885/614 131; Rositsa Donkova, 0888/343 661