On 28.11.2023, the European Commission published the first list of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs), effective from 29.04.2024. The projects on the list will help to achieve the energy and climate goals of the European Green Deal. The list replaces the previous fifth list of PCIs with a focus on the energy infrastructure needed to achieve a climate-neutral energy system.
The list includes 166 key projects in total. For the first time, 65 hydrogen and electrolyser projects are also included that will have a material role in the integration of hydrogen in the European energy system and the decarbonisation of the EU industry.
The projects on the list have the opportunity to benefit from accelerated permitting procedures and funding under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
Bulgartransgaz EAD project is on the first PCI/PMI:
PCI 10.3.2. Internal hydrogen infrastructure in Bulgaria towards the Greece border
The project envisages the construction of a new hydrogen transport infrastructure on the territory of Bulgaria and aims to provide conditions for bi-directional hydrogen transport between Bulgaria and Greece. The implementation of the project will also enable the further expansion of the hydrogen network both internally and to the cross-border interconnection points with Romania and other neighbouring countries.
PCI 10.3.2 is part of the hydrogen cluster No.10.3 Hydrogen interconnector between Greece and Bulgaria that includes a similar project on the Greek territory.
Bulgartransgaz EAD and DESFA are working in a coordinated way for the implementation of the two projects that fall under the priority corridor for the EU Hydrogen interconnections in Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe (HI East).
The inclusion of Bulgartransgaz EAD project in the new list PCIs/PMIs confirms Bulgaria's strategic place for the construction of the new cross-border energy infrastructure to enable the achievement of the ambitious energy and climate objectives of the EU by 2030.
Of the projects included in the previous fifth list of projects of common interest, Bulgartransgaz EAD finalised and commissioned in 2022 – 2023 both the complex infrastructure of PCI 6.8.2 Rehabilitation, modernization and expansion of the Bulgarian transmission system, and PCI 6.8.3 Interconnection Bulgaria – Serbia (IBS) .
The realisation of PCI 6.20.2 Chiren Underground Gas Storage Expansion (BG) continues, for which a financing was awarded under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for the works in the tune of nearly EUR 78 million.
Comments, questions and recommendations about the PCIs can be sent to the company’s official e-mail address: info@bulgartransgaz.bg, by filling in the enclosed Comments Standard Form