Regional gas infrastructure upgrades connected to the Vertical Gas Corridor are expected to significantly improve natural gas flows across Southeast Europe in the coming months, according to Bulgartransgaz CEO Vladimir Malinov. Speaking at the Energy Transition Summit in Athens, Malinov confirmed that new infrastructure designed to increase gas transmission capacity from Greece to Bulgaria is scheduled to begin operations on 1 July. He also noted that a second phase, focused on expanding transport capacity between Bulgaria and Romania, is expected to become operational before the end of the year.
These upgrades form part of wider regional efforts to strengthen energy connectivity and diversify supply routes as demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) continues to grow across Central and Southeastern Europe. Malinov stated that major international LNG suppliers, particularly leading US energy companies, increasingly recognize the region’s gas infrastructure as both reliable and strategically important. He added that close cooperation between transmission system operators, regulators, and the European Commission has already helped establish a framework for long-term tariff optimization across the corridor.
According to Malinov, the revised tariff structure is expected to improve the market’s attractiveness, encourage stronger competition, and create better conditions for securing gas supplies under more favorable commercial terms, including LNG imports. He emphasized that stronger regional coordination in negotiating future supply agreements could provide significant advantages for participating countries. By combining gas demand across nations connected through the Vertical Gas Corridor, regional buyers may gain greater bargaining power with LNG exporters, potentially securing lower long-term prices while also reducing overall transmission costs throughout the network.
