Events
The Eastring pipeline was confirmed as the EU’s Project of Common Interest
5 December 2017, Bratislava
The Eastring pipeline project repeatedly obtained the status of the Project of Common Interest (PCI) for the European Union. The Project was enlisted in the 3rd list of PCIs which European Commission published in November.
European Projects of Common Interest are key infrastructure projects aimed at achieving EU’s energy policy and climate objectives. Eastring is the project of bi-directional gas pipeline interconnector between Slovakia and the external border of the EU on the territory of Bulgaria. It will offer direct and most cost-effective transmission route between West EU liquid hubs and the Balkan region/Turkey – an area with a potential to be a highly liquid region offering gas from various sources. Eastring has obtained the PCI status for the first time in November 2015 (2nd PCI list).
At the beginning of 2017 the European Commission approved the financial support for the Eastring project by funding its feasibility study under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The main purpose of the Feasibility Study, which will be completed in June 2018, is to define all necessary technical, economical, financial and environmental details of the future pipeline including optimal routing as well as to carry on the in-depth market testing.
Hungary and Slovakia signed MoU on Eastring 30 October 2017, Kosice
Slovak Economy Minister Peter Žiga and Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó signed the Memorandum of Understanding on project Eastring. The document was signed in the presence of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Košice.
The Parties of the Memorandum articulated their support to the gas transmission project Eastring and to the concept of Southern Pipeline Corridor, in accordance with the EU legislation.
Eustream’s project Eastring is the EU’s Project of Common Interest (PCI). It can provide shippers with possibility to supply Balkan countries and Turkey from European hubs and will be ready for future gas imports to Europe from well-established and also alternative sources - the Caspian region and the Middle East. Eastring can secure natural gas supply for 100 percent of all Balkan countries` natural gas consumption. The European Commission has awarded the support for the Eastring project by funding the feasibility study under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) mechanism up to 50 percent of the eligible costs.
Eustream signed Contract on the Feasibility Study for Eastring 7 September 2017, Bratislava
The new phase of the Pan-European pipeline project Eastring has been initiated together with partners from Bulgaria, Rumania and Hungary
Slovak gas transmission system operator Eustream has signed the contract on the Feasibility Study for the Eastring – the Pan-European pipeline directly connecting Central and South Eastern European countries. The contract was awarded to Hungarian engineering and consultancy company Euroil. Following the signing of the contract in late August, the works on the Feasibility Study were initiated on Tuesday, 5 September 2017 in Bratislava. The first working meeting was held with representatives of Euroil as well as representatives of all Eastring project partners, i.e. Bulgarian TSO Bulgartransgaz EAD., Romanian Transgaz S.A., Hungarian FGSZ Zrt and Eustream (photo).
“We have launched the new important phase of the project which will improve energy security for customers in Central and South Eastern Europe. Eastring is the EU’s Project of Common Interest (PCI) and we are happy that we can make this important step with the direct financial support from the European Union,” said Eustream’s CEO Rastislav Ňukovič.
The main purpose of the Feasibility Study is to define all necessary technical, economical, financial and environmental details of the future pipeline including optimal routing as well as to carry on the in-depth market testing. The 50 percent of the eligible costs of the feasibility study will be funded by European Commission under the Connecting Europe Facility fund. The Feasibility Study will be completed in June 2018 and its outcomes will serve as the basis for next decisions on the project parameters.
EU agency, Eustream signed Grant Agreement on Eastring feasibility study 26 May 2017, Brussel/Bratislava
European Union’s Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) and Eustream signed Agreement allowing Slovak TSO to receive EU grant for the feasibility study needed for the planned Eastring pipeline project. Feasibility study will be funded under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) with the sum up to one million eur, or 50 percent of the eligible costs. Grant Agreement entered into force in 12 May 2017.
European CEF coordination committee, composed of representatives of the 28 Member States, agreed to fund the feasibility study for the Eastring pipeline under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) on 17 February 2017. Grant award and the Agreement with INEA is an important milestone for the planned pipeline with the status of The Project of Common Interest for the EU (PCI list).
EU member states backed Eastring 20 February 2017, Brussel
European CEF coordination committee, composed of representatives of the 28 Member States, agreed Friday 17 February 2017 to fund the feasibility study for the Eastring pipeline under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
This decision is an important milestone for Eastring project of common interest for the EU (PCI list). Under the agreed proposal one million euros (50 percent of eligible costs) is dedicated for the feasibility study of the Eastring pipeline.
For more information about CEF committee decision please see following link http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-17-280_en.htm
