Gas transmission system operators of Bulgaria and North Macedonia – Bulgartransgaz and GAMA have signed an agreement on the expansion of the existing gas interconnection between the two countries to 182 million cubic meters per year in the direction of North Macedonia.
The statement from the Bulgarian Energy Ministry said that the signed agreement will enable North Macedonia to diversify its gas supply sources through the link between the two countries’ gas networks at the Kyustendil – Zidilovo interconnection point.
Currently, North Macedonia’s annual gas consumption is around 300 million cubic meters. It does not possess any gas storage facilities and is almost entirely reliant on natural gas supply from Russia via pipeline through Bulgaria, whose capacity is booked by Russian Gazprom for a period of 30 years.
Thus, expanding the interconnection capacity between the two countries will grant North Macedonia access to auctions on the Balkan Gas Hub, to natural gas supply from Azerbaijan which Bulgaria receives via its newly commissioned interconnection with Greece, as well as to liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply via the existing Greek terminal at Revythoussa, as well as the future terminal at Ale- xandroupoli, in which the country is considering acquiring a 10 % stake.
The Ministry also said that, under this agreement, Bulgaria will also reserve some capacity at its Chiren gas storage facility for neighboring state.
