N. Macedonia gas link to increase import dependence – NGO
Date: April 24th 2024
Author: Uran Haxha
Category: En.vision
Topic:
Natural gas
, Economy
, Gases
North Macedonia's gas interconnector with Greece is expected to increase import dependence and could potentially result in a surplus of supply, according to statements made to Montel by the think tank Bankwatch.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is expected to approve funding of EUR 98.6 million for the gas interconnector project later today. However, critics argue that this project will encourage a significant expansion of gas usage, thereby increasing import dependence and vulnerability to gas price fluctuations. Bankwatch’s energy policy officer for southeast Europe Pipa Gallop told Montel that this move would have a negative impact on the Balkan country’s green transition."Every euro spent on gas infrastructure is a euro that could have been allocated to renewables or energy efficiency," she said.
The gas interconnector would deliver three to six times more gas to N. Macedonia than the country used in 2021, its highest consumption year so far, Gallop added.
Gallop further criticised the government's focus on gasification, including plans for new gas power plants, stating that it contradicted the imperative to decarbonise the energy system by 2050.
According to official documents, the natural gas interconnector will be 100% hydrogen-ready and will span 66km in length. The project also includes transmission pipelines between Gostivar and Kicevo (34km) and between Sveti Nikole and Veles (28km).
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