<p>In order to achieve energy independence, European countries Greece and Bulgaria have opened a long-awaited natural gas pipeline.</p>

<p>Outgoing Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov told the inauguration ceremony in Komotini that "Over the coming weeks, the pipeline will be filled with Azeri gas and compensate for the discontinuation of Russian gas."</p>

<p>Hailing the pipeline as historic, Petkov highlighted that it will link Komotini to Stara Zagora in Bulgaria.</p>

<p>The trans-boundary pipeline, which is 182-kilometre (113-mile) long, is called the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB).</p>

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<p>Following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Russian giant Gazprom refused to provide gas to Bulgaria as it refused to pay in roubles.</p>

<p>The TANAP/TAP pipeline designed to supply Western Europe with gas from Azerbaijan's giant Shah Deniz gas field in the Caspian Sea will be linked by IGB.</p>

<p>With an option to upgrade to five, the pipeline has a capacity of three billion cubic metres and is worth 220 million euros ($224 million).</p>

<p>The European Union, which was frantically looking for gas alternatives after Russia threatened to cut off its supply, funded $45 million to the IGB to pipe gas from Algeria and Qatar via the existing LNG terminal in Revithousa.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>Watch WION's live TV here:</strong></p>

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In order to achieve energy independence, European countries Greece and Bulgaria have opened a long-awaited natural gas pipeline. Outgoing Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov told the inauguration ceremony in Komotini that "Over the coming weeks, the pipeline will be filled with Azeri gas and compensate for the discontinuation of Russian gas.

In order to achieve energy independence, European countries Greece and Bulgaria have opened a long-awaited natural gas pipeline. Outgoing Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov told the inauguration ceremony in Komotini that "Over the coming weeks, the pipeline will be filled with Azeri gas and compensate for the discontinuation of Russian gas." Hailing the pipeline as historic, Petkov highlighted that it will link Komotini to Stara Zagora in Bulgaria. The trans-boundary pipeline, which is 182-kilometre (113-mile) long, is called the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB). × Following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Russian giant Gazprom refused to provide gas to Bulgaria as it refused to pay in roubles. The TANAP/TAP pipeline designed to supply Western Europe with gas from Azerbaijan's giant Shah Deniz gas field in the Caspian Sea will be linked by IGB. With an option to upgrade to five, the pipeline has a capacity of three billion cubic metres and is worth 220 million euros ($224 million). The European Union, which was frantically looking for gas alternatives after Russia threatened to cut off its supply, funded $45 million to the IGB to pipe gas from Algeria and Qatar via the existing LNG terminal in Revithousa. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Ukraine crisis: European countries open new pipeline to achieve energy independence

<p>A new pipeline, installed in northern Greece, will reduce the European Union's heavy reliance on Russia for natural gas.</p>

<p>The pipeline, near Komotini town, is due to start commercial operation in June and was built during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>

<p>Earlier, the mountainous Greek-Bulgaria border was remote but now the pipeline will ensure that large volumes of gas will flow between the two countries in both directions to generate electricity, fuel industry, and heat homes.</p>

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<p>Energy expert and research fellow at the Brussels-based think tank Bruegel, Simone Tagliapietra told Reuters news agency that “It’s a new world and it’s clear that Russia doesn’t want to be part of an international order as we think of it.”</p>

<p>“The strategy, particularly by Germany, over the last 50 years was always one of engaging with Russia on energy. ... But given what we are seeing in Ukraine and given Russia’s view of international relations, it’s not the kind of country with which we would like to do business,” he added.</p>

<p>Antonis Mitzalis, executive director of the Greek contractor AVAX that oversaw the project, said the pipeline, which is worth $250 million, will carry 3 billion cubic metres of gas per year.</p>

<p>Russian gas giant Gazprom had refused to provide services to Poland and Bulgaria after they refused the pay Moscow in roubles.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-vows-coordinated-response-russias-gas-stoppage-474265">Also read |&nbsp;European Union vows 'coordinated response' against Russia's gas stoppage</a></strong></p>

<p>The West has imposed restrictions and sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine without any provocation.</p>

<p>Highlighting the new pipeline's supply chain issues, Mitzalis said, “We had a sequence in mind but the fact that some materials did not arrive made us rework that sequence, sometimes with a cost effect,”</p>

<p>After Russia's decision to stop providing oil to two European countries, EU chief Ursula Von Der Leyen had vowed a ''coordinated and planned'' response.</p>

<p>She had called Russia's move ''unjustified'' and slammed Russian President Vladimir Putin for ''blackmailing'' the bloc.</p>

<p>Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told his Bulgarian counterpart, Kiril Petkov, “Bulgaria and Greece will continue to work together for energy security and diversification — of strategic importance for both countries and the region.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We both are confident for the successful completion of the IGB on time,” Mitsotakis added referring the new pipeline which is officially called the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria.</p>

<p>According to data from Eurostat, the EU statistics agency, Bulgaria imported thirty times less gas from Russia in comparison to Germany in 2020.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A new pipeline, installed in northern Greece, will reduce the European Union's heavy reliance on Russia for natural gas. The pipeline, near Komotini town, is due to start commercial operation in June and was built during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A new pipeline, installed in northern Greece, will reduce the European Union's heavy reliance on Russia for natural gas. The pipeline, near Komotini town, is due to start commercial operation in June and was built during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier, the mountainous Greek-Bulgaria border was remote but now the pipeline will ensure that large volumes of gas will flow between the two countries in both directions to generate electricity, fuel industry, and heat homes. Energy expert and research fellow at the Brussels-based think tank Bruegel, Simone Tagliapietra told Reuters news agency that “It’s a new world and it’s clear that Russia doesn’t want to be part of an international order as we think of it.” “The strategy, particularly by Germany, over the last 50 years was always one of engaging with Russia on energy. ... But given what we are seeing in Ukraine and given Russia’s view of international relations, it’s not the kind of country with which we would like to do business,” he added. Antonis Mitzalis, executive director of the Greek contractor AVAX that oversaw the project, said the pipeline, which is worth $250 million, will carry 3 billion cubic metres of gas per year. Russian gas giant Gazprom had refused to provide services to Poland and Bulgaria after they refused the pay Moscow in roubles. Also read | European Union vows 'coordinated response' against Russia's gas stoppage The West has imposed restrictions and sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine without any provocation. Highlighting the new pipeline's supply chain issues, Mitzalis said, “We had a sequence in mind but the fact that some materials did not arrive made us rework that sequence, sometimes with a cost effect,” After Russia's decision to stop providing oil to two European countries, EU chief Ursula Von Der Leyen had vowed a ''coordinated and planned'' response. She had called Russia's move ''unjustified'' and slammed Russian President Vladimir Putin for ''blackmailing'' the bloc. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told his Bulgarian counterpart, Kiril Petkov, “Bulgaria and Greece will continue to work together for energy security and diversification — of strategic importance for both countries and the region.” “We both are confident for the successful completion of the IGB on time,” Mitsotakis added referring the new pipeline which is officially called the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria. According to data from Eurostat, the EU statistics agency, Bulgaria imported thirty times less gas from Russia in comparison to Germany in 2020. (With inputs from agencies)

European Union is redrawing bloc's energy map to overcome its reliance on Russia

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Ukraine crisis: European countries open new pipeline to achieve energy independence

European Union is redrawing bloc's energy map to overcome its reliance on Russia