Bulgartransgaz mulls 860 mln euro hydrogen pipeline project

The project, which is being developed to link with a similar infrastructure developed in Greece by peer DESFA, would include a new 250-kilometre pipeline through southwestern Bulgaria as well as two new compressor stations - in the region of Petrich and Dupnitsa - Bobov Dol, Bulgartransgaz said in a draft ten-year investment programme published on Friday.

The pipeline will enable two-way hydrogen flow between Bulgaria and Greece, with a new interconnection point in the Kulata-Sidirokastro border region. It is expected to be commissioned in 2029 and will be suitable for transporting up to 100% hydrogen, Bulgartransgaz said.

The project is part of the network development scenarios mapped out by the European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative, an alliance of 32 energy infrastructure operators of which Bulgartransgaz is a member.

According to the investment plan, Bulgartransgaz will allocate a further 438 million euro by 2027 to adapt the existing gas transport infrastructure to carry up to 10% hydrogen. This project, which will see the development of a smart gas grid in the country, is still in the exploration phase.

"The retrofitting project of the existing gas transmission network also has the potential to acquire a status of key European infrastructure. Its aim is to create opportunities to integrate and transport renewable gas mixtures in concentrations of up to 10% hydrogen," Bulgatransgaz said.

($ = 0.9077 euro)