Gas interconnector with Bulgaria to start trial operation soon - minister

PIROT - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic announced on Wednesday works on a natural gas measurement and regulation station near Pirot, southeastern Serbia, had been completed and that a gas interconnector with Bulgaria was expected to start trial operation soon.

During an inspection of the final stage of works to build the interconnector, Djedovic Handanovic said the pipeline was especially important for bringing natural gas power to Pirot and other municipalities in the Pirot District, as well as for boosting the capacities of the gas network in Nis and creating better conditions for investors.

"Besides the extra security of supplies that is provided by Azerbaijani gas, above all, this interconnector is important for keeping the industry and heating plants supplied. There are plans to bring gas power to the Tigar Tyres company, which is a major consumer, as well as to switch the Pirot heating plant to gas power, which is important for more economical consumption of the fuel, reduction of harmful gas emissions and for environmental protection," a statement released by Djedovic Handanovic's ministry quoted her as saying.