Greek Energy Min.: IGB natural gas pipeline to start operating by the end of July

The Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) natural gas pipeline, which will be inaugurated on Friday, in Komotini, in the presence of the two countries’ prime ministers, will go into operation by the end of July, the Greek Environment and Energy Minister, Mr Kostas Skrekas, said, addressing the Economist Conference, on Wednesday.

The minister underlined Greece’s role for enhancing energy security in the region and the EU with LNG infrastructure that are currently in operation, as well planned new installations, the East Med natural gas pipeline, the upgrading of the electricity interconnection with Bulgaria, Albania and Italy and with the construction of an electricity interconnectin with Egypt.

He also noted that Revythoussa station already covers up to 80 percent of the demand in Bulgaria on a daily basis. The IGB pipeline will have the capacity to transport 3 billion cubic metres of natural gas, with the option to be upgraded to 5 billion cubic metres, he added.