site.btaEnergy Minister: Vertical Gas Corridor Will Help Bulgaria Maintain Role of Regional Gas Hub

With the construction of the Vertical Gas Corridor, Bulgaria maintains its role as a reliable supplier and gas hub in the Southeastern region, said Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov on Tuesday during his visit to the Nova Provadia compressor station, alongside EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen. Hungarian Deputy State Secretary for Energy Security Csaba Marosvari was also present. They reviewed the implementation of Lot 3 (Rupcha-Vetrino) of the Vertical Gas Corridor project, which will connect Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

“This project represents security not only for Bulgarian citizens but for the entire region,” Stankov emphasized. According to him, through its implementation, Bulgaria will retain its strategic position and continue to transport larger volumes of gas in all directions, thanks to both the pipelines and the newly upgraded compressor stations.

The project is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2026, the minister noted. He stressed that its implementation will allow Bulgaria to double the capacity of the exit point with Romania from 5 to 10 billion cu m. This will ensure that the country meets not only its own energy needs but also those of the entire region, a commitment tied to security and solidarity, Stankov added.

Currently, 50 kilometers of Lot 3 have been cleared, pipes have been distributed along the route, and the first of a total of 20 trenchless crossings of roads and railway lines has been completed. Upcoming works include engineering crossings under several rivers, the Hemus Highway, and the Balkan Mountains, which will be executed using innovative green technology.

The Vertical Gas Corridor project is a strategic regional initiative aimed at enhancing energy security and diversifying supplies for Bulgaria and Southeastern Europe. Expanding the north-south capacities will enable the transport of growing gas flows, including liquefied gas, from Greece through Bulgaria to Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Moldova, with the potential to reach Ukraine.

Construction activities in Bulgaria on Lot 1 (Kulata–Kresna) are also progressing. The 48-kilometer route has been fully cleared, pipes have been distributed along its entire length, welding works are underway, and 45 kilometers of trenches have been excavated.

Bulgartransgaz CEO Vladimir Malinov stressed the importance of building the corridor at a time when Europe is moving towards a complete phase-out of Russian natural gas. He assured that the project will be completed no later than the end of 2026, with the ambition to finish by the start of the new gas year, October 1, 2026. According to him, this will be fully aligned with EU goals to replace Russian natural gas with reliable long-term sources, including liquefied natural gas from the United States or supplies from other regions, such as the Caspian region.