BH Gas signs Agreement with EBRD: A Step towards Implementation of the BiH-Croatia Gas Interconnection

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - BH-Gas, the gas production and transport company, signed today a Grant Agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and a Consulting Agreement for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Study and a Feasibility Study with a Consortium led by Dvokut-Ecro, a consulting company providing services in the field of environmental and nature protection, which is a step towards the implementation of the southern gas interconnection between BiH and Croatia, BH Gas announced.

The project is of regional importance, and the Director of BH-Gas, Jasmin Salkić, emphasized the importance of the Southern Gas Interconnection between BiH and Croatia, which was confirmed by the decision of the FBiH Government to declare the project of strategic importance.

“The implementation and interconnection of the transport systems of BiH (BH-Gas) and Croatia (Plinacro) will enable integration with the European natural gas market, diversification of both routes and supply sources (LNG Krk, Caspian region / Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline, European gas trading hubs) and thus create conditions for long-term, secure and reliable supply of all natural gas consumers in BiH.

The EBRD Director for BiH, Manuela Naessl, said she is pleased that all important members of the energy sector are present here and looks forward to the results of the new gas flow assessments.

“I am very pleased that BH-Gas, EBRD, EU and USAID are cooperating on this important project. Diversification of supply is crucial for energy security, and the planned interconnection can play a key role in that. The diversity of potential supporters, who are here today, illustrates the high level of attention we are giving to this. While we look forward to the results of the new assessments, we also hope that in the meantime a new gas law will be adopted in BiH, which will move the sector further towards compliance with the EU’s Third Energy Package,” Naessl stated.

The preparation of the Conceptual Design of the gas pipeline began in August 2019.