SETimes: Gas interconnectors help diversify Bulgarian energy

Hardly anyone in Bulgaria would question the need for diversifying energy sources and supply routes, particularly following the gas crisis in January 2009, when a price row between Russia and Ukraine led to a severe disruption in deliveries to much of Europe.

The Balkan nation, which imports more than 90% of its natural gas from Russia -- and all of it through Ukraine -- was among the worst hit by the dispute between the two former Soviet republics.

In the wake of the 2009 crisis, Bulgaria took steps towards the construction of interconnectors with Turkey (ITB), Greece (IGB), Romania (IBR) and Serbia that would link its gas transport network with those of its neighbours.

The most advanced of the four is the IBR, with all construction work expected to be completed by the end of this year. The nearly 24km-long pipeline is expected to become fully operational at the beginning of 2013.  MORE