Starting signal for FSRU Alexandroupolis by the Prime Ministers of Greece and Bulgaria
Alexandroupolis as a new gateway to energy security and autonomy for Greece and the SE. Europe
The "start signal" for the construction of the Floating Storage and Gasification Unit (FSRU) of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in Alexandroupolis by Gastrade SA was officially given at a special ceremony held at the old Warehouse of Customs 3 Alexandroupolis, 22 The Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Kiril Petkov, co-signed the special symbolic plaque for the start of the project, which will be a new energy portal, playing a key role in Greece's energy security and independence. but also of the whole NA. Europe and contributing decisively to the smooth energy transition and energy pluralism of this extremely sensitive region.
The event was also attended by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vu Ä i ć , the Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia, Dimitar KovaÄevski, the US Ambassador, Geoffrey Pyatt, as well as representatives of the local self-government, including the Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace Christos Metios and the Mayor of Alexandroupolis Giannis Zampoukis.
The present were also given by the shareholders of Gastrade SA, among whom the founding shareholder and Chairman of the Board of Gastrade, Mrs. Elmina Kopelouzou, the CEO of Gaslog Cyprus Investments Ltd, Mr. Paolo Enoizi, the President of DEPA Commerce, Mr. Ioannis Papadopoulos and the CEO of the company, Mr. Konstantinos Xifaras, the Executive Director of Bulgartransgaz EAD, Mr. Vladimir Malin as well as the CEO of DESFA SA, Mrs. Maria Rita Galli.
The construction and operation of the Floating Storage and Gasification Station (FSRU) of Alexandroupolis will strengthen the strategic role of Greece as an energy hub for the wider region of the SE. Europe and will offer alternative sources and routes of gas supply to the region, enhancing security of supply and energy autonomy, in a time of high challenges. In addition, the project will make Alexandroupolis an energy gateway for the entire region of SE Europe, highlighting the strategic importance of the city and stimulating the local economy and employment.
The Floating Storage and Gasification Unit (FSRU), with a capacity of 153,500 sq.m. LNG, will be connected to the National Natural Gas Transmission System of Greece with a 28 km long pipeline, through which the gasified LNG will be promoted to the markets of Greece, Bulgaria, the wider region (Romania, Serbia, Northern Macedonia etc. .) but also with the prospect of supplying Ukraine as well.
The FSRU Alexandroupolis is expected to operate at the end of 2023, with the contracted gasification capacity already reaching up to 60% of the technical capacity of 5.5 billion sq.m. per year. It is noted that the Independent Natural Gas System (ASFA) of Alexandroupolis has been included and financed by the NSRF Operational Program "Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation 2014-2020" (EPANEK) with the amount of public expenditure amounting to 166.7 million.
It is recalled that Gastrade has also submitted to the Energy Regulatory Authority (RAE) an application for a new Independent Gas System License (ASFA), for the project "ASFA Thrace", which will also consist of a Floating Storage Unit (FS). ) and will be developed near the first FSRU in the Thracian Sea, off Alexandroupolis.
The founding shareholder and Chairman of the Board of Gastrade, Mrs. Elmina Kopelouzou noted: "The energy map is changing. We are now entering the final stage of implementation of the FSRU Alexandroupolis, an important and innovative project for the Greek reality. In a period of liquidity in the geopolitical and energy landscape, with this project, Greece shows Europe that it can respond with firm strategic steps to the uncertainty of the times and, through development, offer solutions from which everyone can benefit. . FSRU Alexandroupolis opens a new energy portal for Greece and Southeastern Europe, which at a critical moment comes to meet an urgent national and European need. From this remote city that has so embraced our work,
The Vice President and CEO of Gastrade, Mr. Konstantinos Sifneos, stressed that: "The strategic and economic necessity but also the importance of the project of the LNG Station of Alexandroupolis is more than obvious in the new energy landscape. With this so important project that has brought together the countries living in this neighborhood of Europe, promoting reconciliation, cooperation, solidarity and ultimately peace in the region, we are strengthening regional energy security, energy liquidity, security and the well-being of citizens throughout the region of SE Europe. We would like to thank our shareholders, who are the cornerstones of overall success, as well as a large network of organizations and people who contributed to the start of the implementation of the LNG Station of Alexandroupolis and of course the central Government and personally the Prime Minister of the country for the unwavering and substantial support to the project. Alexandroupolis is the entrance and Bulgaria is the connecting link of the supply chain that this project comes to supply, on the road to Serbia and Romania. The second FSRU, licensed by RAE last Thursday, allows the chain to be further extended to Moldova, Ukraine. "With these two projects, we are contributing to the creation of a real regional energy hub in the region that will strengthen the economy, security and cooperation." licensed by RAE last Thursday, allows this chain to be further extended to Moldova, Ukraine. "With these two projects, we are contributing to the creation of a real regional energy hub in the region that will strengthen the economy, security and cooperation." licensed by RAE last Thursday, allows this chain to be further extended to Moldova, Ukraine. "With these two projects, we are contributing to the creation of a real regional energy hub in the region that will strengthen the economy, security and cooperation."
On his part, the CEO of Gaslog Cyprus Investments Ltd, Mr. Paolo Enoizi, said: "All of us at GasLog are proud of our participation in the work of the Liquid Natural Gas Floating Unit (FSRU) that starts today in Alexandroupolis. The tragedy unfolding in Ukraine at the moment has highlighted the importance of LNG not only as a fuel that will allow the transition to a world of lower emissions, but also as a major aspect of the energy security plans of many countries. The steady supply of gas can only be ensured by such a significant investment in infrastructure, which nowadays has such a cost and delivery time that, in comparison, shows the foresight of the founders of Gastrade, of the Greek government and the various shareholders of the company in the advance planning of the specific investment. GasLog, as one of the largest international shipping companies for natural gas has contributed to the overall design of the necessary specifications of FSRU and finally to the final construction, delivering the Alexandroupolis floating station by the end of 2023. The experienced team of GasLog will ensure the operation and maintenance of FSRU for the coming years, through its know-how, providing safe and reliable services to the users of the station ".
The President of DEPA Commerce, Mr. Ioannis Papadopoulos, and the CEO, Mr. Konstantinos Xifaras, jointly stated that: “The Alexandroupolis LNG Terminal, being the largest energy project in Greece in recent years, is a strategic investment that will contributes catalytically to the security of supply of our country with natural gas. It upgrades the geopolitical position and the role of Greece, as an energy hub for the Southeastern Mediterranean, as this investment is implemented at a time when the role of LNG in the gas market is already significantly strengthened. By entering the project, DEPA Emporias maintains its leading role in the country, proving in practice that it is the company that leads the energy developments in Greece and Southeastern Europe ".
The CEO of Bulgartransgaz EAD, Vladimir Malinov, noted: "The importance of the Alexandroupolis Independent Natural Gas System as a new energy gateway is crucial for Southeastern Europe. The terminal will provide the necessary additional quantities of natural gas, offering access to producers from all over the world and connectivity with the appropriate supply routes to all interested users in the area. The level of committed capacity and the interest of suppliers and consumers prove the strategic importance of the terminal and its economic efficiency. Thanks to FSRU Alexandroupolis, Bulgaria, Greece and neighboring countries will be able to benefit from the growing LNG market and the security and competitive prices it provides. Access to alternative gas supplies, from the US, Qatar, Egypt and other countries, will ensure competitive gas prices for the countries. The implementation of the project comes to strengthen the diversification of natural gas sources and stimulate competition for the benefit of businesses and users, while increasing liquidity through access to LNG will accelerate the process of carbon removal in the energy sector. I am very happy that we are working together for the success of this project ". The implementation of the project comes to strengthen the diversification of natural gas sources and stimulate competition for the benefit of businesses and users, while increasing liquidity through access to LNG will accelerate the process of carbon removal in the energy sector. I am very happy that we are working together for the success of this project ". The implementation of the project comes to strengthen the diversification of natural gas sources and stimulate competition for the benefit of businesses and users, while increasing liquidity through access to LNG will accelerate the process of carbon removal in the energy sector. I am very happy that we are working together for the success of this project ".
The CEO of DESFA SA, Mrs. Maria Rita Galli, stated: "The FSRU of Alexandroupolis comes to establish Greece as a country with a leading role in regional energy developments, decisively strengthening, in the midst of a difficult international situation, the country's energy security and of the wider area. The interconnection of this critical infrastructure with the existing and new export routes to Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia, through the DESFA network, will allow the increase of the country's natural gas exports to the markets of Southeastern and Central Europe, further establishing Greece. as an energy node.