Regarding the construction and upcoming commissioning of the projects for expansion of the gas transmission infrastructure, part of the Vertical Corridor, Bulgartransgaz EAD is gradually increasing the technical capacity from Greece to Bulgaria, from Bulgaria to Romania and from Bulgaria to the Republic of North Macedonia. At interconnection point Kulata/Sidirokastro the capacity will increase in two stages - for 2026/2027 and from 2027/2028, and at IP Negru Voda 1/Kardam and IP Kyustendil/Zhidilovo - from 2027/2028 gas year.
“The significant progress in construction of the Vertical Corridor infrastructure enables the Bulgarian gas transmission operator to offer increased natural gas transmission capacities at the interconnection points at reduced prices. Thus, we provide the necessary conditions for transmission of additional quantities of liquefied natural gas from reliable sources such as the USA and others to Bulgaria, to the region and Europe,” said the company’s Executive Director, Vladimir Malinov. “In this way, we contribute to increase of market liquidity in the region, enhance security of supply and ensure competitive prices,” he added.
In implementation of the Roadmap to raise the attractiveness of the Trans-Balkan route, the increase in capacities is another step towards ensuring maximum flows and better prices along the gas transmission network in the region. Based on the expected higher flows along Route 1 of the Vertical Gas Corridor for the next gas year, Bulgartransgaz EAD reduced the capacity price by a total of over 11% for the interconnection points from Greece to Bulgaria and from Bulgaria to Romania.
As a result of commissioning of Kulata-Kresna looping for 2026/2027 gas year at IP Kulata/Sidirokastro capacity will be offered corresponding to the planned increase in technical capacity up to 93,009,443 kWh/day. For 2027/2028 gas year and the subsequent gas years, capacity will be offered corresponding to the planned full increase in the technical capacity up to 102,825,300 kWh/day, following commissioning also of Piperevo-Pernik gas pipeline.
For 2027/2028 gas year and the subsequent gas years, at IP Negru Voda 1/Kardam capacity will be offered corresponding to the planned increase in the technical capacity up to 296,796,409 kWh/day, as a result of commissioning of Rupcha-Vetrino looping and the reversal of compressor station Kardam.
For gas year 2027/2028 and the subsequent gas years at IP Kyustendil/Zhidilovo in direction from Bulgaria to the Republic of North Macedonia, capacity will be offered corresponding to the planned full increase in the technical capacity up to 38,732,348 kWh/day, as a result of commissioning also of Piperevo-Pernik gas pipeline.
According to the auction calendar of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) and pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2017/459 establishing a Network code on capacity allocation mechanisms in gas transmission systems (CAM NC), the annual auction for annual capacity products will be held on 6 July 2026.