The new gas connections with Greece and Serbia, investments in MEPSO, the interconnection with Albania, the planning of energy capacities, and support for vulnerable households are among the priorities of the Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources. In September and early October, these activities also gained a strong international dimension through the country joining the Vertical Gas Corridor and regional ministerial cooperation. In an interview with MIA, Energy Minister Sanja Bozhinovska discussed the benefits of these projects, new legislation, institutional competencies, and the economic value of domestic resources.
“In September in Thessaloniki, we formalized our accession to the Vertical Gas Corridor. Together with Serbia, we are entering a broader regional framework that connects the gas systems of nine countries. This is significant because our interconnectors are taking on a wider European role: they open up access to new sources and create an opportunity for Macedonia to participate in gas transit as well,” said Bozhinovska.
Regarding the gas pipeline interconnectors, she noted that work is proceeding at a rapid pace. “The interconnector with Greece is under construction. In Belgrade, I reported that approximately 30 of the total 67 kilometers of the Macedonian section have been welded. The goal is to complete the project by 2027, with an initial capacity of 1.5 billion cubic meters per year.
In July, together with representatives from NOMAGAS and the Greek operator DESFA, we conducted a joint inspection of the route. The consensus was that the project is progressing and that conditions are in place to accelerate the pace of work.
A contract worth €29.4 million has been signed for the design and construction of the Macedonian section of the interconnector with Serbia. The project entails a 22.4-kilometer pipeline featuring bidirectional flow and a capacity of 1.4 billion cubic meters per year. Connecting the southern and northern routes also opens up the possibility for our country to play a transit role,” the energy minister highlighted.