The contract for the joint realization of the interconnection gas pipeline project between Croatia and Hungary was signed today by representatives of the Croatian gas transmission system operator, Plinacro, and from the Hungarian side by representatives of FGSZ Natural Gas Transmission.
The signing of this contract, for the joint realization of the interconnection gas pipeline between these two countries, is a historic act and for the first time since 1978, when the Rogatec – Zagreb pipeline was built, Croatia has a new direction for natural gas supply, emphasized Branko Radošević, CEO of Plinacro. The completion of the works on the project worth 395 million euros is planned for 2010, and commissioning is expected in 2011. On the Croatian side, the project includes bidirectional pipelines Slobodnica – Beničanci – Donji Miholjac with a total length of 88 km, which will cost 95 million euros, and from the Hungarian side, the pipelines Dravaszerdahely – Bata – Varosfold, which will be 210 kilometers long.
Everyone who survived the gas crisis in the first month thinks differently about this industry, the interlocutors note, adding that from today a new gas world is emerging. The crisis has proven that regional cooperation is urgently needed, and the pipeline provides the opportunity for regions to start cooperating, one of the conclusions of the meeting. This is a historic day because by signing the document of such a contract we will change the energy system of both our countries, emphasized Janos Zsuga, CEO of the Hungarian company Natural Gas Transmission. By achieving these goals, Croatia will gain the opportunity to connect to potentially realized large international gas pipeline projects such as Nabucco, Blue Stream, or South Stream.
