Sufficient market interest will be needed if a natural gas pipeline linking Thessaloniki and Fyrom (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) and an LNG bunkering facility on the islet Revythoussa, just of Athens, are to be developed, RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, has noted in response to a ten-year gas system development plan (2017-2026) submitted by gas grid operator DESFA.

RAE offered its conditional approval of DESFA’s plan for the Thessaloniki-Fyrom pipeline, a project budgeted at 48.7 million euros, as long as market test, including binding capacity reservation offers, is previously conducted.

As for the Revythoussa LNG bunkering facility plan, the energy authority acknowledged the project could be required in the future as a result of the shipping LNG market’s anticipated growth, while noting DESFA has yet to submit a complete plan and feasibility study supporting its sustainability.

A decision on the induction of this project into DESFA’s ten-year plan will be reached once a comprehensive plan has been submitted, RAE added.

DESFA is looking at developing an LNG bunkering facility to serve the refueling needs of vessels with capacities ranging from 1,000 to 20,000 cubic meters.

RAE also approved a plan for the development of a natural gas compressor station needed for the gas system’s hydraulic stability once the TAP pipeline, running through northern Greece, begins operating.