The implementation of the ”Alexandroupolis Independent Natural Gas System (INGS)” project has been included in the NSRF

23 September, 2021

The implementation of the ”Alexandroupolis Independent Natural Gas System (INGS)” project has been included in the Operational Program of the NSRF “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation 2014-2020” (EPANEK), according to the decision of the Special Secretariat of the European Regional Development Fund issued on 22.09.2021.

Beneficiary and implementing body of the project is the Greek company Gastrade S.A. and the public expenditure amounts to 166.7 million euros. The company shareholders are Mrs E.A. Copelouzou, GasLog Cyprus Investments LTD, DEPA Commercial S.A. and Bulgartransgaz EAD.

This decision constitutes the starting point for the construction of one of the most important energy projects in recent years. The project, having high strategic significance for Greece and the wider region, will create a new independent gateway for the supply of natural gas to the markets of Southeastern Europe.

The “Alexandroupolis Independent Natural Gas System (INGS)” project includes three main parts:

– The Offshore Temporary LNG Storage and Regasification Unit
– The permanent offshore installation
– The offshore and onshore natural gas pipeline for the transmission of natural gas to the National Natural Gas Transmission System (NNGTS).

The mega project supports and operates in addition to the other existing or planned major gas infrastructure projects in the region, such as the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the Interconnector Bulgaria-Serbia (IBS), the Greece-Northern Macedonia Interconnection, the Underground Gas Storage in Kavala and the LNG Terminal in Revithoussa.

The LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis has been included in all lists of the European Projects of Common Interest (PCI – Regulation EU 347/2013) in the energy sector, given its strategic importance, as it contributes materially to the diversification of sources and energy supply routes of the entire South East Europe. The project enhances energy security in the region and supports the creation of a regional gas hub.

The floating unit will be located 17.6 km south-west of the port of Alexandroupolis and will be able to supply natural gas to the system that will exceed 5.5 billion cubic metres per year.

The floating unit will be connected to the National Natural Gas Transmission System by a 28 km pipeline, through which the regasified LNG will be transmitted to the markets of Greece, Bulgaria and onwards to the wider region, from Serbia and North Macedonia to Moldova and Ukraine.