Greece-Bulgaria hydrogen link poised to get EU funding

Projects included in the list stand to qualify for expedited permitting processes and subsidies.

Apart from the border interconnection at Kulata/Sidirokastro, the proposed hydrogen infrastructure will consist on the Bulgarian side of a new 250-km pipeline and two compressor stations near the southwestern towns of Dupnitsa and Kulata, Bulgartransgaz said in a press release on Tuesday.

With a capacity for a bidirectional flow, the pipeline would be able to transport both domestically produced hydrogen and hydrogen from Greece, Bulgartransgaz added.

The project is an important part of the development of a Southeast European hydrogen network and will facilitate the flow of green hydrogen from Southeast to Central Europe, Bulgartransgaz CEO Vladimir Malinov said.

The Commission announced on Tuesday the adoption of a list of 166 cross-border energy projects, which will benefit from accelerated planning and permitting procedures and can apply for funding under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

Projects eligible to be classed as PCIs should profoundly influence energy markets and market integration in at least two EU member states, enhance competition in energy markets, and boost EU energy security and renewables deployment in line with Green Deal targets, according to the Commission.

Bulgartransgaz has already received CEF funding in support of two projects -- the construction of the Bulgaria-Serbia natural gas link, which is on the verge of becoming operational, and the ongoing expansion of the Bulgarian underground gas storage facility Chiren.

In September, Bulgartransgaz said that it has joined forces with Bulgarian and US companies to study the possibility of producing and using green hydrogen at Chiren.

Earlier in November, the Bulgarian gas grid operator unveiled plans to sign a memorandum of cooperation with Spanish energy company Enagas in the sectors of hydrogen and liquefied natural gas (LNG).