Bulgaria to receive Azerbaijani gas in 2020

Sofia, November 19 - Neftegaz.RU. Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria will deliver Azerbaijani gas to the European markets starting from 2020, Azernews reported. Bulgaria expects early completion of the construction of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) and expects Azerbaijani gas to reach the country in 2020, said Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

Borisov, along with the ambassadors of the USA, Azerbaijan and Greece to Bulgaria and executive director of ICGB project company Teodora Georgieva, inspected the construction of the IGB gas pipeline.

“No later than next year, Bulgaria will be able to receive liquefied gas from the USA, Qatar, Cyprus, Egypt, as well as gas from Azerbaijan. Next year we will be able to tell the Bulgarians - you have no dependence, and you can get gas from anywhere,” Borisov said.

He emphasized that the foundation of a gas infrastructure will enable Bulgaria to achieve a real diversification of gas supplies. He specified that the Balkan gas hub and the gas exchanges will provide Bulgaria with cheaper gas as there will be competition.

“The IGB project will be the game-changer in the region’s energy map,” Director of ICGB project company Teodora Georgieva underlined.

IGB is one of the seven priority projects to ensure the security and competitiveness of the energy market in the EU. The project plays a key role in terms of diversifying gas sources and gas supplies to Bulgaria and Southeastern Europe. Through IGB, Bulgaria will receive Azerbaijani gas from the TAP, and through the connecting link Bulgaria will also be able to receive liquefied gas through the LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis from the USA, Qatar, Algeria, Israel, Egypt and other countries.

The construction of IGB started on May 22, 2019 in Bulgarian village Kirkovo. Azerbaijan is expected to export gas to Europe in the amount of 10 billion cu m in early 2020. Moreover, 6 billion cu m of Azerbaijani gas will be supplied to the western regions of Turkey.