News

The company operating the IGB gas pipeline signed a Memorandum of understanding tied with a timeline for joint assessment and action plan, aiming to strengthen energy security, ensure a sustainable and affordable energy transition

The independent transmission system operator (TSO) responsible for the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector signed a Memorandum of understanding on Joint approach and action plan to harmonize gas quality requirements at interconnection points (IPs) in the Central and South-Eastern European Energy Connectivity (CESEC) region. During the latest CESEC meeting held in Budapest, TSOs from Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, North Macedonia, Croatia, Moldova, Ukraine, Slovenia and Hungary all committed to joint actions aimed at strengthening the region’s energy security.

ICGB has already tested successfully the IP at Komotini with natural gas prior to the commissioning of the LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis

ICGB has signed an interconnection agreement with the neighbouring natural gas Transmission System Operator DESFA at the interconnection point (IP) located at Komotini, Greece.

ICGB is announcing that it is intending to put IP Komotini DESFA/ICGB in operation as of 1st of October 2024 subject to respective confirmation and gas flows from upstream systems operators.

Please be informed that ICGB received updated information on the planned maintenance works of ICGB's upstream operators. During Gas Days 05/08/24 - 11/08/24 (included), gas flows entering the ICGB system at IP Komotini-TAP may be reduced, and the utilization of ICGB capacity products at interconnection points may be affected. ICGB system and ICGB's capacity remain fully available. If there are any changes in the maintenance dates, we will inform the market via the publication of another UMM.

Please be advised that the commercial operation, previously scheduled to start on the 1st of July 2024, is postponed.  

The independent transmission operator ICGB will hold annual auctions for the available capacity of the gas interconnector between Greece and Bulgaria on July 1^st.  

Quantities will be offered for five consecutive gas years, with the capacity varying for the different interconnection points - with the networks of Bulgarian operator Bulgartransgaz, Greece's DEFSA and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) respectively.

For the upcoming gas year 2024/2025 ICGB will offer on competitive auctions the available capacity of the two interconnection points in Greece amounting to 1,161,784,139 Nm3/year or 37,333,058 Kwh/d/y. The available capacity in the amount of 1,027,334,020 Nm3/year or 33,012,605 Kwh/d/y will be offered for the interconnection point in Bulgaria.

We are pleased to inform you that the scheduled date for the commencement of commercial operations is set for the 1st of July 2024 on which date ICGB may provide transportation services to the IGB Network Users 

The independent transmission system operator ICGB invites all interested parties to submit their registration documents by the 24th of June 2024 and binding bids later at the Bid Submission Window between 2nd and 12th of July 2024

Following a successful non-binding phase in 2023, the independent transmission system operator ICGB has initiated the binding phase of the incremental capacity process. As part of the Vertical Gas Corridor initiative, uniting the TSOs of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Ukraine, Moldova and Slovakia, ICGB’s efforts are focused on enabling increased capacity options for natural gas deliveries to Central and Southeastern Europe, as well as Ukraine and Moldova.

The company has a long-term social and environmental commitment to the regions through which the Greece-Bulgaria gas interconnector route passes 

ICGB provides financial aid to all municipalities along the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector route with a focus on small settlements. Within the campaign, a total of 305 442 BGN (156 170 EUR ) will be donated to 12 municipalities. A total of 64 villages in Bulgaria and 7 in Greece will benefit under the campaign