The operator of the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector (IGB), ICGB, in collaboration with gas transmission system operators from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine, has submitted documentation to national regulatory authorities to launch two new transborder bundled capacity products, according to ICGB in response to a query from Trend, as reported by Day.Az.
The operators are awaiting regulatory approval, with plans to offer the products in October. If approval is delayed, the timeline may extend to subsequent months. ICGB noted ongoing discussions with regulators to refine the design of these products and determine the most effective market rollout strategy.
The new routes, dubbed Route 2 and Route 3, build on the previously announced Route 1 bundled capacity product under the Vertical Gas Corridor initiative. These routes aim to bolster regional energy security by enabling direct gas transport from northern Greece to Ukraine, connecting to the LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). The primary goal is to ensure timely and cost-effective gas injections into Ukraine’s underground storage facilities ahead of the winter season.
Route 2 starts at the Amphitriti interconnect point on Greece’s DESFA network, passing through the IGB and the Trans-Balkan Corridor via Komotini (IGB) → Stara Zagora → Negru Voda 1/Kardam → Isaccea 1/Orlovka → Causeni → Grebeniki. Route 3 begins at the ICGB-TAP connection point in Komotini and follows the same path thereafter.
To enhance commercial appeal, all participating transmission system operators have agreed to a 25% discount on standard monthly tariffs, with ICGB and Ukraine’s GTSOU offering an even steeper 46% discount each.
https://news.day.az/economy/1780703.html