Bulgaria is making significant strides towards completing critical segments of the Vertical Gas Corridor, a pivotal north-south infrastructure project designed to facilitate the transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Greece to Ukraine and other Central and Eastern European markets. Caretaker Energy Minister Traicho Traikov announced that two major projects within Bulgaria are projected to become operational by the end of 2026.
During the recent Transatlantic Summit in Washington, which focused on gas security and diversification, Minister Traikov highlighted Bulgaria’s leadership as the first country in this initiative to commence physical construction works. He characterized the corridor as a strategic backbone essential for regional energy stability. Current construction efforts are aimed at expanding capacity at vital interconnection points, particularly at Kulata/Sidirokastro and Negru Voda/Kardam, which will enable the corridor to function as a high-capacity transit route capable of transporting up to 10 billion cubic meters of LNG annually through the Balkans toward Ukraine and beyond.
In addition to these developments, Bulgaria has sought partial financial support from the European Union’s Modernization Fund. If approved, this funding would assist in reducing transmission costs and fostering competitive tariffs for both domestic and regional gas market participants.
Further enhancements are scheduled for 2026, which will include increased capacity at Stara Zagora and Komotini interconnection points. These upgrades are expected not only to improve supply diversification but also to provide traders with greater flexibility and access to alternative markets.
Reflecting on Bulgaria’s diversification strategy, Minister Traikov noted that it was largely shaped by the gas supply interruption experienced in 2009, which exposed vulnerabilities within the country’s energy framework. This crisis accelerated collaboration with the European Commission and propelled the development of interconnectors with neighboring countries. The link established with Greece has been particularly significant, laying the groundwork for the Southern Gas Corridor and subsequent infrastructure initiatives.
Despite some prior projects such as Nabucco not coming to fruition, Minister Traikov asserted that Bulgaria’s diversification strategy has ultimately proven effective. The country successfully navigated supply tensions in 2022 following Gazprom’s ruble payment demands without experiencing disruptions, thanks in part to alternative LNG deliveries from sources including the United States.
