ICGB is launching an incremental capacity process to assess market demand for increasing the technical capacity of the IGB (Gas Interconnector Greece–Bulgaria) pipeline, Report informs referring to the operator company.
The process is split in two main phases and is conducted in alignment with adjacent transmission system operators.
The independent transmission system operator ICGB, responsible for the management and commercial operations of the IGB gas pipeline, is initiating the mandatory process for assessing market demand for incremental capacity.
The process will be implemented in close cooperation with adjacent transmission system operators (TSOs) Bulgartransgaz (Bulgaria), DESFA (Greece) and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). It will explore whether there are grounds to increase the existing technical capacity of the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector.
On July 3, ICGB launched the first phase of the process where all interested parties are invited to submit their non-binding demand indications no later than August 28.
According to ICGB’s Executive Officers Teodora Georgieva and George Satlas, ICGB is still exploring the possibility of optimizing the process and offering incremental capacity earlier than the 2-year period of the full procedure. As it is a joint process, the company will hold regular discussions with the adjacent TSOs to align and ensure a coordinated timeline on both sides of the interconnection points at Stara Zagora and Komotini.
Currently operating with a capacity of approximately 3 bcm/y, the interconnector can reach over 5 bcm/y with an additional investment depending on the market interest.
IGB began commercial deliveries on October 1, 2022.
https://report.az/en/energy/icgb-starts-exploring-possibilities-for-increasing-technical-capacity-of-igb-gas-pipeline/