The gas transmission operators of Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine are continuing their joint actions to increase the capacity offered through the Route 1, Route 2 and Route capacity products at competitive prices.
"In order to guarantee secure supplies for Ukraine during the current winter season, we are taking steps to increase the available capacity for these route products. This was announced by the executive director of "Bulgartransgaz" EAD Vladimir Malinov during his participation in the 36th Greek Economic Forum, held in Athens, the company announced.
Malinov pointed out that technically it is possible for the winter period from January to April 2026 the available unreserved capacity at the point of interconnection Ruse/Giurgiu to be transferred to "Negru Voda 1/Kardam".
Within the framework of the panel dedicated to the Vertical Corridor, Malinov and the executive director of the Greek DESFA Maria Rita Gali signed the joint letter from "Bulgartransgaz", DESFA, Vestmoldtransgaz, Transgaz, Gas TSO of Ukraine and ICGB, with which they turn to the regulators of the countries for approval of the proposal. "In order to improve the conditions and to ensure a single price of the capacity offered on Negru Voda 1/Kardam along the route products, "Bulgartransgaz" also offers a discount of over 36 percent", Malinov also said, quoted in the announcement.
"Our joint proposal will allow an increase in the total amount of capacity offered on the route products to Ukraine, in order to guarantee the security and stability of the country's energy system", he added.
The participants in the discussion drew attention to the strategic role of the Vertical Corridor in achieving the common European goals for energy independence. According to Malinov, the implementation of the project is also a major part of the implementation of the REPowerEU plan of the European Union to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels. "The US administration has a leading contribution in this process, by providing additional quantities of American liquefied natural gas to the Old Continent", Malinov emphasized, who spoke with Josh Huck, deputy head of the US diplomatic mission in Athens.
BTA recalls that Reuters reported a few days ago that Ukraine is significantly increasing its imports of natural gas along the southern Trans-Balkan route through Greece and Bulgaria, to compensate for the losses of supplies after the Russian air attacks against Ukrainian energy infrastructure.