Mihajlovic: Serbia-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector Strategically Important for Serbia

Emanuele Giaufret, Zorana Mihajlovic (BETAPHOTO/MINISTRY of ENERGY/ZORAN PETROVIC)

Serbian Minister of Energy Zorana Mihajlovic said on July 18 that a new gas interconnector between Serbia and Bulgaria was a project of strategic importance for energy security, and one of the most important projects in Serbia.

During a tour of the Nis-Dimitrovgrad gas line construction site, the energy minister said that Serbia had built the Balkan Stream and got another gas supply route, but that it still had a single supplier, Mihajlovic was quoted as saying by her ministry.

“One supplier, whoever that may be, is not enough to ensure a steady energy supply and safe energy prices, which makes the new gas interconnector all the more important. We are negotiating with Azerbaijan to become a gas supplier as of next year, expecting additional energy security when the gas interconnector is ready next autumn,” Mihajlovic explained.

Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Emanuele Giaufret said that the new project would diversify gas supply and increase considerably the quantity of gas available to the industry and households, while protecting the environment as well. “The EU has secured nearly EUR50 million in donations, and another EUR25 million in loans by the European Investment Bank to get the project off the ground, reaffirming our commitment to supporting Serbia’s energy security and transition from coal to cleaner sources of energy,” Giaufret said.