The Southern Gas Interconnection is poised to be a pivotal infrastructure project for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2023, as it aims to significantly enhance the country’s energy security and its role in regional gas transit. Energy expert Edhem Bičakčić emphasizes that this development marks a critical juncture for the nation’s gas sector.
This new pipeline will connect Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European gas market via Croatia and the Krk LNG terminal, thereby introducing alternative supply routes. This connection is expected to bolster the security of supply while also enhancing operational flexibility through diversified sources and delivery methods.
Bičakčić notes that many political hurdles have been overcome, with essential technical parameters already established. The anticipated influx of gas from Croatia will facilitate connections for major industrial consumers, allowing for increased utilization of gas in electricity and heat production, thus positioning Bosnia and Herzegovina as a key regional transit hub for countries like Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria.
The project also revives plans for a gas storage facility at the Tetima mine near Tuzla. This facility has received necessary approvals from the Federal Government and is set to improve system resilience and reliability significantly.
On the Croatian side, construction includes a high-pressure pipeline extending 52 kilometers from Dugopolje to Zagvozd, along with an additional 22 kilometers from Zagvozd to Imotski at the Bosnian border. This segment is managed by Plinacro with an estimated investment of €170 million.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the pipeline will cover about 180 kilometers starting near Posušje, branching towards Mostar and Travnik. The project requires approximately €250 million in funding and aims for an annual transport capacity of 1.5 billion cubic meters.
This capacity represents a substantial increase compared to the current annual gas consumption of around 230 million cubic meters and existing system capacity of approximately 600 million cubic meters, indicating a significant expansion in national gas infrastructure.
Moreover, the Southern Gas Interconnection will facilitate the gasification of southern regions within Bosnia and Herzegovina, cater to new industrial demands, and is designed to accommodate not just natural gas but also hydrogen and biogas—aligning with long-term decarbonization objectives.
Bičakčić further indicates that progress on this southern route may expedite developments on a northern gas corridor through Bosanski Brod or Brčko. This would reinforce Bosnia and Herzegovina’s role as a regional transit center while potentially connecting Banja Luka to an upgraded national gas network.
