The European Commission awards EUR 850,000 grant for rehabilitation, modernization and expansion of the existing gas infrastructure in Bulgaria. The project is listed in the Projects of Common Interest List of EU and is identified as a priority project within the Central and South East Europe Gas Connectivity initiative between the European Commission, the member states of the High Level Group for Central and South East Europe Gas Connectivity and the contracting countries from the Energy Community. Bulgartransgaz EAD is a beneficiary of the project and the activities set for execution envisage modernization and rehabilitation of compressor stations in the country, inspections to determine the gas pipelines’ condition on the territory of Bulgaria and repair of specific gas pipeline sections if such are found necessary. The project also envisages expansion of the existing gas transmission network in Bulgaria and implementation of systems for optimization of the management process of the network technical condition (PIMS and GIS).
The project proposal approved as of today by the European Commission envisages execution of activities part of the project for rehabilitation, modernization and expansion of the Bulgartransgaz EAD network. The total estimated value of these activities is EUR 1,700,000 and the European Commission will finance 50% providing a grant in the amount of EUR 850,000 under the Connecting European Facility (CEF). With these funds a pre-investment activities for rehabilitation of the northern semi-ring of the gas transmission network and preparatory activities on the modernisation of three compressor stations with low emission turbine compressors will be carried out.
The full completion of the project for rehabilitation, modernization and extension of Bulgartransgaz EAD network will ensure the technical possibility for the transport of additional natural gas quantities through the territory of the country in connection with the planned new entry and exit points and opportunities for diversification of the directions for transmission depending on market interest. The modernization of the existing gas infrastructure on the Bulgarian territory in operation for forty years already will enhance its efficiency, reliability and flexibility. The improvement of the domestic network technical parameters will contribute to developing the gas infrastructure in the region as well.