The Government of Serbia has approved a Spatial Plan for a specialized area (PPPPN) for the construction of the MG 14 high-pressure gas pipeline, running from Orljane to Leskovac, Vranje, and the border with North Macedonia. The 146 km pipeline will pass through the municipalities of Leskovac, Vranje, Vladičin Han, Bujanovac, Preševo, Vlasotince, Surdulica, and Doljevac.
The project aims to enhance national energy infrastructure, ensure sustainable development, and connect the gas systems of Serbia and North Macedonia. A branch pipeline, RG-14-01, will supply gas to the city of Leskovac. The MG 14 pipeline will be bidirectional, supporting gas supply to the Jablanica and Pčinja districts and enabling gas transport between the two national systems.
The pipeline corridor spans approximately 146 km, with a protection zone of 400 m width (200 m on each side of the pipeline axis) and a detailed regulation zone of 80 m width (40 m on each side). The pipeline will be constructed underground using DN500 steel pipes with a maximum operating pressure of 55 bar.
Key infrastructure includes:
- PPS (Delivery station): Measures gas flow and quality at handover points between operators, located at the start of the pipeline near Orljane.
- GMRS (Main metering and regulating stations): Five stations along the route, reducing gas pressure from 55 bar to 6–16 bar and connecting to the secondary network (Leskovac, Vladičin Han, Vranje, Bujanovac, Preševo).
- GRČ (Main distribution nodes): Allow internal cleaning, inspection, and gas flow management, with stations planned at Bobište, Vranje, and Preševo.
- BS (Block stations): Ten stations along the route, controlling automatic gas flow shut-off and section isolation.
- POČS/PČS (Reception/dispatch cleaning stations): Facilitate insertion of cleaning pigs and condensate collection at pipeline start and selected GRČ sites.
The land along the pipeline is predominantly agricultural (68%), with minor impacts on settlements. The corridor also intersects 2,256 ha of mostly deciduous forest and crosses the South Morava River five times. It intersects with major rail infrastructure, including the Belgrade–Niš–Preševo main line and the Doljevac–Kastrat–Merdare regional line.
The MG 14 and RG-14-01 pipelines will be built as an integrated system, combining underground pipeline sections with surface facilities and supporting infrastructure.
