ICGB AD Bulgaria, the independent operator of the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector (IGB) natural gas pipeline, has secured a construction permit for Lot 1of its planned project to expand IGB’s capacity to 5 billion cu m/year (bcmy) from 3 bcmy for natural gas pipeline expansion. Issued by the Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, the permit covers the upgrade of the gas metering station near the Bulgarian city of Stara Zagora.
This crucial step allows ICGB to proceed with the process of selecting an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor. Once selected, the EPC contractor will be responsible for the installation of additional filtration and gas pre-heating equipment, along with building pressure reduction and metering lines construction at the Stara Zagora gas metering station. The Lot 1 upgrade will enable the gas metering station to accommodate higher flows (up to 5 bcm/y) with full safety and operational compliance.
Once the sustainable financial plan is in place, ICGB’s shareholders have approved a Final Investment Decision for the project, natural gas pipeline expansion, so Lot 1 construction activities can begin. Along with the preparation of procedures for Lot 1, documentation for Lot 2 (gas metering station off the Greek city of Komotini) is also proceeding and moving forward to ensure that both sites progress in sync, in line with the overall strategy for contracting under the project.
“The permit marks real momentum in our consistent efforts to push forward the expansion project,” said ICGB’s Executive Officers Teodora Georgieva and George Satlas. “ICGB is committed to this project especially considering the infrastructure’s importance it holds for long-term regional energy security and integration in the SEE region.”
Along with this development, ICGB’s management is actively engaged in discussions with financial institutions regarding funding for the expansion. The company has also recently launched a new two-year cycle of the incremental capacity process to assess market interest in increased capacity. Non-binding offers are expected by September 2025, with binding commitments planned for summer 2026.
IGB expansion is a crucial part of developing the Vertical Gas Corridor, improving access to diversified supplies such as LNG from Greek terminals and Azerbaijani gas. IGB, since its launch in Q4 2022, has emerged as a solid natural gas connection for Southeast Europe. This expansion will solidify its strategic role even further, ensuring diversified deliveries to the Bulgarian market and countries in the region, including Ukraine, connecting to the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline and the Trans-Adriatic pipeline.
