Bulgaria backs EU deal on Vertical Gas Corridor to secure regional gas supplies

Operators of the Vertical Gas Corridor have agreed with the European Commission on a long-term framework to secure reliable gas supplies to Southeastern Europe, Bulgartransgaz (EAD) announced in a press release on March 27.  

The agreement, reached during talks in Athens with transmission operators from Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine, as well as EU officials and regulators, aims to enhance energy security and improve the competitiveness of the south-to-north gas route, the state-owned Bulgarian company said.

Executive director of Bulgartransgaz Vladimir Malinov said the deal is a “long-term solution” to guarantee supply to the region, at a time when Europe is seeking to diversify away from Russian gas following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Under the agreement, new tariffs for gas transmission along the Vertical Corridor will be introduced from October, with the European Commission and the participating operators endorsing a commercial framework designed to make the route more competitive.

Greek operator DESFA said the new tariff structure would establish the corridor as “a highly competitive and strategic energy artery for Southeastern and Central Europe,” particularly amid ongoing energy security concerns.

Transmission system operators will for the first time offer a full range of capacity products — including daily, monthly, quarterly and annual options — starting from the 2026–2027 gas year in October 2026, Bulgartransgaz said.

The companies said the new pricing approach would improve cost predictability for users while increasing the attractiveness of the corridor as a key supply route.

Until the new system is fully implemented, operators will seek approval from national regulators to extend existing capacity products through October 2026 to ensure continuity of supply to Ukraine.

“Our goal is for the new conditions to be offered at the annual capacity auction on July 6 and to be valid for all capacity auctions from the beginning of the new gas year,” Malinov said.

He added that the measures would also support long-term supplies of liquefied natural gas from secure sources, including the United States, as Europe accelerates efforts to phase out Russian gas imports by the end of 2027 under EU policy.

The European Commission welcomed the agreement, saying it represents a significant step toward strengthening regional energy integration and ensuring energy security in line with EU rules.