ENTSOG Gas Regional Investment Plan (GRIP) 2017 - 2026 / Southern Corridor / Main Report

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.

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Southern Corridor GRIP 2017–2026

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