Energy regulators in Greece and Moldova have made decisions expected to positively impact the attractiveness of transporting natural gas via the Trans-Balkan route.
This was reported by the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU).
“The Greek energy regulator (RAE), following a proposal from the national GTS operator DESFA, approved the removal of restrictions related to access to the Greek Virtual Trading Point (VTP) for gas exports to Ukraine. As a result, gas transmission service customers who book capacity on Route 1 in upcoming auctions will be able to use the Greek VTP,” the statement reads.
In addition, the National Energy Regulatory Agency of the Republic of Moldova adopted amendments to several regulatory acts aimed at simplifying cross-border gas exchange. Specifically, Moldova’s transmission system operator, Vestmoldtransgaz, will now be able to offer a new capacity product designed to transport gas via the route from the “Căușeni” interconnection point (entry into Moldova) to the “Hrebenyky” interconnection point (exit into Ukraine).
This product will be available under specific conditions: a minimum reservation of 5,300 MWh/day of natural gas, transportation exclusively along this route under customs transit mode, and balanced nominations.
According to GTSOU, these changes will make Moldova’s gas transmission system more attractive for system users transporting gas to Ukraine.
“We welcome the decisions by the national regulators of the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Moldova, which enhance the commercial attractiveness of transporting natural gas via the Trans-Balkan route. We are also grateful to our proactive colleagues from DESFA and Vestmoldtransgaz,” said GTSOU acting CEO Vladyslav Medvediev.
As previously reported, no volumes were booked during the first capacity auction for the Trans-Balkan route. The next auction will take place on June 23.
Gas transmission system operators of Bulgaria, Greece, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine are jointly offering a monthly bundled firm capacity product for the period from June to October 2025, which will facilitate the transportation of gas from Greece to Ukraine.
The Trans-Balkan Gas Corridor is a pipeline that connects liquefied gas markets in Southern Europe with those in Central and Central-Eastern Europe. It passes through Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine, and also enables gas transportation from Turkey to Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland.
