Energy Minister: "The inauguration of the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector is a strategically important event in the diversification of energy supply of Bulgaria and Southeast Europe.”

Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov attended the opening ceremony of the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector (IGB), which will transport Azerbaijani natural gas to Bulgaria in Komotini, Greece. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, as well as Energy Minister of Azerbaijan addressed the ceremony.

The first of all, the minister extended warm greetings and congratulations regarding this significant occasion on behalf of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr, Ilham Aliyev.

In his speech, Energy Minister described the implmentation of the IGB as the beginning of an important stage in the development of TAP, an indicator of the diversification of the Southern Gas Corridor.  The Minister said that the inauguration of the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector (IGB) is a strategically important event in the diversification of energy supply of Bulgaria and Southeast Europe and in ensuring consumers’ access to affordable and clean energy.

Azerbaijan is not only a stable and strategic source of diversified gas supply for European countries, including Bulgaria and Greece, but also a reliable partner. Over a year, 13.5 bcm of gas have been supplied to Europe. Of these, 1.4 bcm of gas have been directed to Greece, and 440 million cubic meters to Bulgaria. 160 million cubic meters gas was transported to Bulgaria in the first 6 months, and a total of 600 million cubic meters of gas is planned to be exported by the end of the year. Since 1 July, full volume of 2.6 million cubic meters of gas has been exported to Bulgaria daily, an increase of 1.7 million cubic meters in daily supply." 

The Minister emphasized the importance of cooperation between the countries for sustainable energy security. The realization of the Southern Gas Corridor including its newest IGB branch, and supplying Azerbaijani gas to Europe at a time when it is most needed are the results of high-level cooperation, solidarity, mutual trust and support between our countries: "The Southern Gas Corridor would not have been possible if the historic Istanbul Agreement was not signed. We would not have been able to achieve consistent results if not for regular close contacts, great coordination, responsible behavior, and firm cooperation between our countries in the format of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council since 2015. The Southern Gas Corridor is the greatest achievement of EU-Azerbaijan energy partnership so far, and we are looking forward to expand, extend and deepen this success story." 

It was noted that the IGB is also a harbinger of new projects regarding the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor in the coming years.

It should be reminded that in September 2013, Bulgargaz EAD signed a 25-years contract on the purchase of 1 bcm of gas per year within the Shah Deniz 2. In May 2019, the ground-breaking ceremony of the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector (IGB) was held in the Kirkovo, Bulgaria.