Laying of first pipes for Serbia-North Macedonia gas pipeline to begin next week

Serbia’s Minister of Energy in a caretaker capacity, Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic, announced today that the laying of the first pipes for the North Macedonia-Serbia gas interconnection would begin the next week. Work will start on a five-kilometer stretch, part of the total 145-kilometer pipeline, near Vranjska Banja. Speaking in Belgrade following the second summit of energy ministers from Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia, she also announced that pipes sufficient for 15 kilometers of the interconnection would be delivered by the end of October. However, she emphasized the critical importance of Srbijagas continuing to resolve expropriation issues so that construction could proceed according to schedule.

– Our goal was to have the gas interconnection completed by the first quarter of 2028, but achieving this requires the completion of all expropriation-related processes – the minister said.

She noted that the interconnection between Greece and North Macedonia was expected to become operational not long after, during 2027, adding that Greece served as a gateway for Southern Europe to supply Central Europe with larger quantities of gas via the Balkans.

The meeting also addressed new electricity transmission interconnections, focusing primarily on the construction of the Balkan Corridor.

Djedovic Handanovic stated that the new 400 kV transmission network route would facilitate improved and increased electricity exchange.

– Bulgaria and Greece are EU members and can assist Serbia and Macedonia in this regard concerning the energy sector dialogue and integration into the electricity market – the minister said.

Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou emphasized that his country supported the European integration of Serbia and North Macedonia.

– Regional energy interconnection and cooperation are essential and integral components for ensuring energy security for our countries – the minister said.

North Macedonia’s Energy Minister Sanja Bozinovska stated that they expected the gas interconnection with Greece to be completed and an agreement with Serbia to be reached by the middle of the next year.

She added that they anticipated alternative supply routes for Southern and Central Europe by 2028 and aimed to be ready for both natural gas and hydrogen.

Ministarstvo rudarstva i energetike Republike Srbije

Ministry of Energy of Serbia

Dubravka Đedović Handanović

Serbia North Macedonia

gas interconnection North Macedonia Serbia