North Macedonia plans to join the Vertical Gas Corridor in September. The move is aimed at shifting the country’s gas system from a relatively isolated national network to a wider north-south supply route across Southeast Europe. The corridor entry is linked to cross-border infrastructure development.
Interconnector with Greece and LNG access
A central element of the strategy is a planned interconnector with Greece, expected to enter operation in 2027. When completed, the connection would provide access to LNG arriving via the Alexandroupoli and Revythoussa terminals. It would also support access to Azerbaijani gas entering Southeast Europe through TANAP and TAP.
North Macedonia currently remains heavily dependent on a single gas supply route. The planned Greek link is intended to diversify supply sources through the corridor framework. This would change how gas can be routed into and out of the national system.
Link towards Serbia and potential northbound flows
A second interconnector is being developed towards Serbia. In combination with the Greek link, it could enable gas to move through North Macedonia towards markets further north. This would reduce the extent to which flows terminate primarily in the domestic market.
The Vertical Gas Corridor is not a single pipeline. It instead brings together existing transmission networks, interconnectors and LNG infrastructure designed to facilitate northbound flows from Greece through Southeast and Central Europe. This structure supports routing beyond individual national systems.
Participants and hydrogen-ready design
Countries already participating in the Vertical Gas Corridor include Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Slovakia and Hungary. Serbia is also moving towards participation. North Macedonia’s September entry aligns with this broader regional setup.
North Macedonia is also incorporating a longer-term decarbonisation element into its infrastructure programme. The new interconnectors are being designed to accommodate up to 100% hydrogen. This could allow them to form part of future European hydrogen transport networks.
Skopje’s corridor role for supply flexibility and utilisation
For Skopje, the corridor represents both a supply-security project and a potential transit-market strategy. The country seeks greater flexibility in sourcing gas while increasing utilisation of its transmission infrastructure. The planned interconnector programme supports that shift in how regional flows could be handled.
