site.btaVertical Gas Corridor Operators, EC Reach Agreement to Establish Long-term Solution Ensuring Gas Supplies to Region

The operators of the Vertical Gas Corridor have reached an agreement with the European Commission to establish a long-term solution for ensuring reliable supplies to Southeast Europe, Bulgartransgaz Executive Director Vladimir Malinov said during a meeting held in Athens between the companies, representatives of the European Commission and energy regulators, Bulgartransgaz reported on Friday.

“The agreed commercial approach introduces new tariffs which turn the Vertical Corridor into a highly competitive and strategic energy artery for Southeast and Central Europe at a particularly critical moment for the continent’s energy security. More specifically, transmission system operators will, for the first time, offer the full range of capacity products on a daily, monthly, quarterly and annual basis, starting from the 2026–2027 gas year (October 2026), at highly competitive tariffs. This pricing approach significantly increases the attractiveness of the products on offer, while at the same time providing users with greater cost predictability and the opportunity for long-term energy planning. In this way, the Vertical Corridor is being established as a key route for energy supplies in the region and as an important instrument for enhancing diversification and Europe’s energy security,” the statement reads.

For the transitional period until the full introduction of the new products, transmission system operators are submitting a request to the competent national regulatory authorities to extend the availability of the existing products until October 2026, with a view to supporting security of supply for Ukraine.

“Our aim is for the new conditions to be offered at the annual capacity auction on 6 July and to be valid for all capacity auctions from the start of the new gas year,” Malinov stressed, as quoted in the statement. According to him, the provision of all necessary conditions by the operators to improve the attractiveness of the Vertical Corridor is of key importance for energy security in the region in light of the current geopolitical situation. “The steps we have taken also contribute to the long-term security of liquefied natural gas supplies to the region from reliable sources such as the United States and others,” Malinov added. “The operators also propose extending the approval for the three route products until the end of the current gas year,” he said.

The European Commission expressed a high appreciation for the results achieved and the decisions taken to improve the attractiveness of the corridor in full compliance with EU legislation.