Serbia is intensifying efforts to diversify its natural gas supply ahead of a broader European shift away from Russian energy, with major new pipeline projects under way that will connect its network to Romania and North Macedonia by 2027. These strategic infrastructure investments signal a deliberate move to reduce reliance on a single supplier and align Serbia’s energy system with emerging regional supply routes.
The European Union has set an overarching goal of phasing out Russian gas and oil imports by the end of 2027 as part of its climate and energy security framework. For the bloc, most member states can mitigate the impact through access to liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals on the coast and alternative pipeline supplies from Norway, the eastern Mediterranean, or LNG imports from global markets. Landlocked and transit states, however, including Serbia and some of its neighbours, face greater challenges due to limited direct access to such infrastructure.
Historically, Russia has been Serbia’s predominant source of natural gas, with pipeline deliveries flowing through the Balkan Stream extension of the TurkStream system from the Black Sea. In recent years more than 80 percent of Serbia’s gas imports have originated with Russian suppliers. Recognising the risks of overdependence on a single supplier and shifting European market dynamics, Belgrade has pursued a multi-pronged strategy that maintains existing contracts while building new supply routes.
At the heart of Serbia’s diversification plan are two critical interconnector projects. The first, linking Serbia with North Macedonia, is being developed to provide access to the Southern Gas Corridor and ultimately to LNG markets in Greece. Construction timelines set by Serbian and North Macedonian officials target completion by the end of 2027, with the pipeline expected to have an annual capacity in the order of 1.4–1.5 billion cubic metres of gas. This connection would give Serbian consumers and industry access to supplies sourced beyond the traditional Balkan transit system.
A second major project extends northward to Romania, where Serbia is building a direct gas link to connect with Romanian transmission infrastructure and, by extension, broader Central and Western European gas markets. The planned interconnector will span the border region, with the Serbian segment running roughly 13 kilometres and the Romanian segment completing the route to Arad. Capacity estimates for this line range between 1.6 and 2.5 billion cubic metres annually, potentially increasing Serbia’s negotiating leverage in gas procurement.
Together with existing links — including the interconnection with Bulgaria that already enables access to Azerbaijani supplies via the Trans-Anatolian and Trans-Adriatic pipelines — these new corridors will allow Serbia to receive gas from multiple directions. Planned future integration with the Croatian LNG terminal on Krk Island and expanded participation in European gas trading hubs are also part of the long-term diversification picture.
Serbia’s energy authorities have described the pipeline build-out as essential to reducing vulnerability to price volatility and supply disruption. Introducing multiple routes and suppliers is intended to provide competition in the domestic market and reduce exposure to geopolitical risk. Officials also underscored that these connectivity enhancements align with Serbia’s broader economic and EU accession priorities by bringing the country’s energy network into closer technical and regulatory compatibility with European norms.
At the same time, Serbia continues to negotiate new supply arrangements with its traditional partners. Negotiations on short-term gas contracts with Russian suppliers have been ongoing, reflecting Belgrade’s intention to balance diversification with stable supply continuity as the regional energy landscape evolves.
In sum, the next two years are poised to be transformative for Serbia’s gas sector. By fostering new international interconnectors and embedding its grid within complementary European supply corridors, Serbia is preparing for a post-2027 energy environment with a broader mix of sources and greater strategic autonomy.
