Gas interconnector between Greece and Bulgaria will be ready by December 30, 2021

The interconnector with Greece will be ready on December 30th, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said on March 31. Then the country will be able to receive and transport gas from the liquefied gas terminal in Alexandroupolis, where our country has 20%. The project is of key importance under the Three Seas initiative.

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov visited the area along the route where the pipeline will cross the Maritsa River. All preparatory construction activities have been performed in the section. It is planned to cross the river through a horizontal drilled crossing, which is the most environmentally friendly. The crossing is about 500 m long, at a solid depth under the riverbed and passes through various layers of land, which makes it extremely challenging for builders. Once started, the drilling equipment has to work continuously for several days until the drilling is completed and the pipe hole is successfully pulled.

The construction works on the gas connection are advancing. There are 150 km of stringing and preparation for the subsequent activities. Welds were made for 120 km and 70 km the pipes were laid in a trench. The total length of the gas pipeline is 182 km, of which 150 km on Bulgarian territory.

According to a signed additional agreement with the company Avax, which is responsible for the design, procurement and construction of the interconnect, the company should follow the updated work schedule, the pipeline should be built by the end of 2021. Intermediate dates have been agreed for the completion of key stages, the most important of which is the completion of intersections through the large water bodies - until October 15, 2021. The construction continues to be performed while maintaining the originally agreed fixed price of 144.8 million euros.

The project for construction of the Greece-Bulgaria gas interconnector is perceived crucial for Bulgaria and the region due to its strategic importance for ensuring diversification of the sources and routes of natural gas supply.

The project allows enhanced energy connectivity in Southeast Europe as it’s being developed in synergy with other major existing and planned projects such as TAP and the LNG terminal near Alexandroupolis, in which the Bulgarian state is officially a shareholder.