ZAGREB, September 28, 2019 – The first compressor station in Croatia’s gas transport system could be in trial operation as of October and in regular operation by the end of the year, it was said on Friday when Environmental Protection and Energy Minister Tomislav Ćorić and officials of the Plinacro gas pipeline operator visited the construction site at Velika Ludina in the Moslavina region.
Works on the 209.5 million kuna station, which will enable two-way gas transport between Croatia and Hungary from the start of 2020, began in August 2018.
Ćorić said it was especially important that the station would enable the normal operation of the future LNG terminal on Krk island.
“Although the lease of the terminal’s capacity is lower than expected, a two-way route is necessary because one must consider the global situation in Europe, the ratio of LNG and natural gas prices, the ongoing negotiations at the European Commission’s level, primarily the Russia-Ukraine gas transit. Alternative supply routes are increasingly topical, not just in Croatia but on the entire European continent,” the minister said.
Plinacro CEO Ivica Arar said the construction of the first compressor station in Croatia’s gas transport system was a strategic project which would also comply with European Commission criteria. He added that the construction of the Omišalj-Zlobin gas pipeline was likely to begin in January.
Asked by the press if the government planned to intervene if the prices of oil products continued to rise, Minister Ćorić said the government had intervention mechanisms for which there was no need yet.
Asked about the disposal of radioactive waste from the Krško nuclear power plant, which is co-owned by Croatia and Slovenia, he said it was necessary to wait for the outcome of a meeting with Slovenia due on Monday.
He said there was no agreement for now on a joint disposal site and that “Croatia is also ready for an alternative scenario.”
More energy news can be found in the Business section.
