Two main contracts for the construction of the Vertical Gas Corridor were signed in Bulgaria, namely for the loopings Kulata-Kresna and Rupcha-Vetrino. That marked the commencement of the actual activities on the capacity increase between Greece and Bulgaria and Bulgaria and Romania. Following this completion, the Bulgarian gas transmission infrastructure will be able to supply additional quantities of liquefied natural gas from reliable sources, including the US, Azerbaijan, Egypt and so on.
“The initiative of the gas transmission operators of Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine and Moldova will guarantee energy security through diversified supplies in the long term,” stated Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev during the ceremony. He emphasised that following the planned suspension of Russian natural gas transit through Ukraine from the beginning of 2025, the Vertical Gas Corridor, the initiator of which is Bulgaria, will establish itself as infrastructure of major importance for the entire region.
“The vertical gas corridor is not only a strategic initiative of key importance for the countries in the region, but also an instrument to guarantee their energy security,” noted the Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov in his speech. In his words, the increase of transport capacities between Greece and Bulgaria and Bulgaria and Romania enables additional supplies from alternative sources, which is key for the secure supply to the countries of the region. “The cooperation between the Bulgarian and American companies in the implementation of these projects of the initiative will serve as an excellent example for the realisation of future energy projects of the necessary quality, on time and within the budget,” emphasised the Minister.