Bulgaria to launch construction of gas link with Greece in March

According to the initial estimations, the gas interconnector will be put into operation in 2014, Dobrev told reporters during the weekend.

The entire amount of the investment for the project is estimated at 209 million euro ($270 million), Dobrev recalled. It is implemented by joint Bulgarian-Greek government venture ICGB.

In July, Greek environment ministry approved the survey on the natural gas pipeline. The 180-kilometre interconnector between Stara Zagora, in Bulgaria, and Komotini, in Greece, will have a transit capacity is of 3.0 billion cubic meters (bcm) per year, which could be increased to 5 bcm annualy, with reverse flow capability.

($=0.7734 euro)