Croatian govt approves 180 mln euro investments in gas pipeline, LNG capacity

“It is a strategic decision as we are going to double the current capacity of the LNG terminal on the island of Krk and to build a new gas pipeline, in order to strengthen the security of natural gas supply in Croatia, as well as to position Croatia as a leader in the new distribution of cards in the energy sector in this part of Europe,” economy minister Davor Filipovic told a weekly cabinet meeting on Thursday, as seen in a video recording on the government web site.

Thanks to an investment valued at 25 million euro, the annual regasification capacity of the LNG terminal on Krk will reach 6.1 billion cubic metres from the current 2.9 billion cubic metres.

A further 155 million euro will be invested in the construction of the 58-kilometre Zlobin - Bosiljevo gas pipeline to create preconditions for further development of the country's gas pipeline system and to increase the transportation of gas to Hungary and Slovenia, according to a document published on the government website.

European Union funds will be used as much as possible to finance these projects, as well as funding from the state budget, Filipovic added.

The LNG terminal on the island of Krk started operating in January 2021. It delivers gas to the Croatian national transmission network, which is connected to fellow EU member states Slovenia, Italy and Hungary, as well as to non-EU members Serbia and Montenegro.

($ = 0.992 euro)