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Southern Corridor GRIP 2017–2026
Foreword
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the third edition of
the Southern Corridor Gas Regional Investment Plan
2017–2026.
This edition builds on the TYNDP 2017–2026, published by ENTSOG in December
2016 and in April 2016 (including a Feedback section with ENTSOG’s response to
the feedback received from ACER and stakeholders) and on the second edition of
the Southern Corridor GRIP released in June 2014, and takes into account the
development of the recent years regarding the evolution of demand prospects the
regulatory environment and the progress of the key infrastructure projects.
The present edition comes in an environment where on the one hand the first large
projects that give to this Regional Group its “raison d’ être” have well entered in the
construction phase (Trans Adriatic Pipeline) while on the other hand, the uncertain-
ty over a large number of initiatives regarding numerous interconnections among the
Regions TSOs to form gas corridors both vertical (South-North) and horizontal (East-
West) still persists. Among the positive recent news we may include the first fruits of
the CESEC initiative, launched by the European Commission, like the Interconnec-
tion agreement enabling backhaul and reverse flow at the Greek/Bulgarian border
and the MOU signed by TSOs of four countries for the development of the Vertical
Corridor, from Greece to Hungary via Bulgaria and Romania, with possible branch-
es to Ukraine and Moldova. CESEC continues to encourage and closely monitor the
actions that can lead to a greater integration of the gas markets in most of the South-
ern Corridor region. Important projects, still under study, may bring gas from more
indigenous sources to Europe, amidst a general decrease of national production in
the traditional EU gas producing countries. In addition to the Caspian and other
Asian sources, the promoters of new fields in the Levantine and in the Black Sea are
comparing their options to reach markets. The bidirectional Poland – Slovakia Inter-
connector project would offer the possibility of receiving supplies from the Baltic Sea
area. Finally numerous projects for new routes to transport Russian gas see the light
other for a short time other more persisting over longer periods.
The GRIP is the result of close cooperation between 10 TSOs in 9 countries under
the coordination of DESFA. The Region’s TSOs would welcome any comments,
advice or feedback that could assist in improving the effectiveness of the future edi-
tions of this report either through ENTSOG’s website or with the occasion of dedicated
events to be organised by ENTSOG, or at the coordinator’s e-mail address(j.florentin@desfa.gr and a.spyropoulou@desfa.gr).
Dimitrios Kardomateas
ENTSOG General Assembly member
Division Director for-Strategy, Development
and Regulation
DESFA S.A.