Djedović and Giaufret visited the works on the construction of the Serbia-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector

"The construction of the gas interconnector is of strategic importance for our energy sector because by constructing this gas pipeline we will get the possibility to receive gas supplies from several sources, such as Azerbaijan and the LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis, Greece. In the past, we resolved many challenges on the project, and today we are attending the start of the works on the most difficult section of the gas pipeline, the point where the gas interconnector intersects with the highway. We expect the entire project to be completed this autumn, and we will be here to witness everything that has been done until the very last day, until everything has been prepared to enable the gas to flow," said Djedović. 

She added that so far about 100 km of pipes, or about 90 percent, have been delivered to the construction site, and that the level of physical progress at this stage is higher than planned.

"The construction of the Serbia-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector also has regional significance, which is why we have strong EU financial support for this project. Simultaneously with the implementation of this project, we have started the preparation of spatial and technical documentation for another important project for the gas diversification of Serbia, which is the construction of a gas interconnection between Serbia and North Macedonia," said Djedović.

Head of EU Delegation to the Republic of Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret, said that he was glad to see how this project is progressing and that the EU will continue to be committed to diversifying gas supply in Serbia and increasing the resilience and competitiveness of its energy system.

 "We are eagerly awaiting the gas that will flow through this gas pipeline in the next heating season. EU also offered Serbia to participate in the joint procurement of gas with the EU member states," Ambassador Giaufret said.

The visit was also attended by the mayor of Niš, Dragana Sotirovski.

The length of the gas interconnector on the territory of Serbia is 109 km, and the capacity is 1.8 billion cubic meters in the direction towards Serbia. Works on the construction of the Serbia-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector began in February 2022, and completion is planned for the last quarter of this year. In addition to greater security of supply and diversification of gas routes and suppliers, the new gas pipeline will enable further development of the distribution gas pipeline network in the south of Serbia.

The value of the works on the construction of the gas pipeline is about 90 million euros, and the financing includes 49.6 million euros of EU grants, an EIB loan in the amount of 25 million euros and national co-financing.

Also, the EU supports with a total of 33.6 million euros the construction of the gas interconnector section on the territory of Bulgaria, the length of which is 60 km.