Serbia is increasing its energy security, and citizens can expect fuel to be more affordable.
“Balkan Stream” was put into trial operation last night.
Automation and control systems are currently being tested, dispatching stations, valves, optics and power supply are being checked, in order to obtain the conditions for the blue energy source from the direction of Bulgaria to flow as early as December 30th.
Thus, one of the most important projects, which strengthens the economic and geostrategic position of Serbia, was finally brought to an end, despite strong side and direct political blows. When the gas soon and officially flows through the Serbian main pipes from Zajecar to Horgos, our state will practically concrete its energy security, and preconditions are being created for the price of blue fuel to be more favorable for the economy and the population. Undoubtedly, after the activation of the new route, Serbia will be more attractive for investors, which entails the growth of the economy and industrial production. In addition, it is planned to strengthen the network, because the construction of a secondary pipeline is planned, in order to bring gas to Vladicin Han, Ljubovija, Bajina Basta and other places.
In the beginning, there will be primarily Russian gas in the pipes, but in the future, it will be possible to supply from other sources as well. The gas pipeline will be two-way, which means that we receive energy from Bulgaria and Hungary.
– The pipes of the interconnector Bulgarian border – Hungarian border are filled with gas and testing of all systems necessary for reliable and uninterrupted operation of the gas pipeline which is part of the internal gas transport system of Serbia is underway – Dusan Bajatovic, general director of “Srbijagas” states.
He says that the gas pipeline, in accordance with the announcements given by President Aleksandar Vucic, will be ready for operational work on December 30, and that our country will be supplied with gas from Bulgaria on January 1.
– This means that we can supply gas to the population and economy from the direction of Bulgaria, which in addition to the existing direction from Hungary now represents new opportunities, but also a greater degree of security of supply to the markets of Serbia, Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH. That is good news for all consumers, because the price will be more favorable.
The Serbian main gas pipeline, 403 kilometers long, stretches from Zajecar to Horgos. Our country realized the laying of pipes extremely quickly. The first activities started last year at the end of April, and the whole work was completed in twenty months. It is planned that the compressor station in our country will be completed in May next year, and Bulgaria has two more to do. In Serbia, the works on the block and measuring stations should be completed. As they recently explained to us in the Ministry of Energy, the current pressure is enough and that does not hinder the commissioning of the “Balkan Stream”.
When the compressor stations are in operation, the gas pipeline will work at full capacity and will be able to supply customers in Hungary and Austria – the Ministry explained to us.
Emphasizing the importance of the “Balkan Stream” for the energy security of our country, they state that Serbia can now get all the necessary quantities from this direction.
– Serbia will be more than safe, which has not been the case so far – our interlocutors in the Ministry said.
The construction of “Turkish Stream” began in May 2017, and on January 8 this year, sections of the pipeline were put into operation in Istanbul at a ceremony attended by Serbian President Vucic together with Putin, Erdogan and Borisov.
The length of the gas pipeline is 930 kilometers with a total capacity of 31.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year. It is set along the Black Sea from Russia to the coast of Turkey, and then goes by land to the border with neighboring countries, Alo reports.
