Ukraine eyes gas imports via Trans-Balkan corridor amid rising demand

Ukraine may soon begin importing natural gas through the Trans-Balkan corridor, expanding its supply sources to include Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova. 

This potential shift was announced by former Ukrainian Energy Minister Olga Buslavets on her official Facebook page, Caliber.Az reports.

According to Buslavets, five gas transmission system (GTS) operators—spanning Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine—have initiated a coordinated effort to launch the ROUT1 product. This initiative includes a 25 per cent tariff reduction aimed at making the route more economically viable. If swiftly approved by national energy regulators, the move could unlock a previously costly but strategic supply corridor for Ukrainian gas imports.

Currently, Ukraine relies primarily on gas imports from Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. Last week, the country ramped up its daily imports to 19 million cubic meters following the resumption of supplies from Slovakia.

She added that Ukraine’s power system is presently stable due to a seasonal dip in energy consumption. However, ongoing repairs at nuclear power units combined with increased cooling needs during hot weather could result in electricity shortages that would need to be offset by imports from the European Union.

Of the six nuclear power plant (NPP) units located in government-controlled territories, three are currently under repair. Meanwhile, hydroelectric output is constrained by limited water resources, and generation at thermal and combined heat and power plants has declined in response to lower demand, she noted.

Despite the challenges, energy infrastructure repairs are progressing on schedule, and prices on the domestic electricity market are trending downward. Nonetheless, authorities are preparing for potential stress on the system as summer approaches.

By Sabina Mammadli