Start of Works on the EU-supported Serbia-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector

On Tuesday, 1 February, construction works started on the Serbian section of the 171 km natural gas interconnector that will connect Niš (Serbia) and Sofia (Bulgaria), thus supporting the regional energy security. Citizens of Bela Palanka, Pirot and Dimitrovgrad in the Southeast Serbia, as well as the industry and other areas of the economy, will thus get a source of cleaner and cheaper energy for heating than before.

The Serbia-Bulgaria gas interconnector has been financed by the European Union and the European Investment Bank (EIB)  with the blending of €49.5 million EU grant (Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance - IPA II) and €25 million loan. WBIF had initially provided technical assistance grant for preparation of the feasibility study.

The projected capacity of this new gas pipeline will allow flow of 1.8 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually. Finalisation of the pipeline construction is planned for Q4/2023. With its projected capacity the new gas pipeline will provide additional 80