Since the start of commercial operations on 1 October 2022 and up to the end of October 2025, the cumulative transported quantities through the IGB pipeline reach 39 854 049 MWh Greece to Bulgaria and 1 919 228 MWh in virtual reverse flow to Greece. For the period January–October 2025 alone, the quantities reached 8,486,142 MWh from Greece to Bulgaria and 153,062 MWh in reverse flow. The interconnector has established itself as the first route for diversified natural gas supplies to Bulgaria, providing over 50% of the country’s domestic consumption.

The interconnector has a strong regional impact as a central component of the Vertical Gas Corridor - an initiative designed to support scalable, bidirectional gas flows from South to North, enhancing access to LNG and other diversified sources for countries across the region. The independent transmission system operator ICGB continues its active engagement with partners to enable the launch and implementation of Routes 2 and 3  which will further strengthen regional energy security and provide new opportunities for delivering gas to markets such as Moldova and Ukraine at a time of increased strategic importance. The newly introduced capacity products are a flexible market solution that reflects the changed energy security dynamic in the region.

“The results we see in the past few months reflect the strength of the partnerships that stand behind the IGB pipeline. Our long-established cooperation with Azerbaijan and the stability provided by the long-term contract for Azeri gas continue to be fundamental for Bulgaria and the wider region. At the same time, the Vertical Gas Corridor and the IGB route are opening new opportunities for diversified supplies, including American LNG, which further enhances the resilience of regional markets”, said ICGB Executive Officer Teodora Georgieva.

In parallel, ICGB is progressing with the pipeline’s expansion project, which foresees an increase of the interconnector’s technical capacity from 3 to 5 bcm per year. The expansion is driven by the heightened strategic interest in the route and is aligned with Europe’s broader objectives for ensuring flexibility and long-term supply stability. While the expansion is up for approval from the company’s shareholders, ICGB is already a few steps ahead – with the procurement strategy approved and design process for its first gas metering station ready. The operator has completed the necessary preparatory work and continues to engage actively with international partners, including U.S. institutions, whose financial support could accelerate the final investment decision.

“IGB’s recent performance demonstrates that the pipeline has evolved into a strategic backbone for Southeast Europe. The positive response to Routes 2 and 3 confirms the regional need for reliable, diversified access to LNG and other sources, and highlights the essential role of the Vertical Gas Corridor in connecting these supplies to markets with growing security needs such as Moldova and Ukraine. Ensuring this flexibility and resilience is at the heart of ICGB’s mission, and the IGB route is positioned today as one of the most impactful energy infrastructures in the area,” said ICGB Executive Officer George Satlas. According to him, as ICGB is looking ahead to the next stages of development, its focus remains on enhancing a reliable, flexible network that reinforces the security of supply for all countries that rely on this corridor.