Serbia is actively working to diversify its natural gas supply in response to a broader European shift away from Russian energy sources. The country is implementing significant pipeline projects aimed at connecting its gas network with Romania and North Macedonia by 2027. These infrastructure investments are part of a strategic initiative to reduce reliance on a single supplier and align Serbia’s energy system with emerging regional supply routes.
The European Union has established a goal to phase out Russian gas and oil imports by the end of 2027, as part of its climate and energy security framework. While many EU member states can mitigate the impact through access to liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and alternative pipeline supplies, landlocked countries like Serbia face greater challenges due to limited access to such infrastructure.
Historically, Russia has been the primary source of natural gas for Serbia, with over 80 percent of the country’s gas imports coming from Russian suppliers in recent years. In light of the risks associated with this dependency and changing European market dynamics, Belgrade is pursuing a multi-faceted strategy that involves maintaining existing contracts while developing new supply routes.
Central to Serbia’s diversification efforts are two key interconnector projects. The first project aims to link Serbia with North Macedonia, facilitating access to the Southern Gas Corridor and ultimately LNG markets in Greece. Serbian and North Macedonian officials have set construction timelines targeting completion by the end of 2027, with an expected annual capacity of approximately 1.4–1.5 billion cubic metres of gas. This connection is intended to provide Serbian consumers and industries with access to supplies beyond the traditional Balkan transit system.
The second major project focuses on establishing a direct gas link to Romania, connecting Serbian transmission infrastructure with Romanian networks and expanding access to Central and Western European gas markets. This interconnector will run approximately 13 kilometres within Serbia, with capacity estimates ranging from 1.6 to 2.5 billion cubic metres annually, potentially enhancing Serbia’s negotiating power in gas procurement.
In conjunction with existing connections, including one with Bulgaria that allows access to Azerbaijani supplies via the Trans-Anatolian and Trans-Adriatic pipelines, these new corridors will enable Serbia to receive gas from multiple sources. Future plans include integration with the Croatian LNG terminal on Krk Island and increased participation in European gas trading hubs.
Serbia’s energy authorities have emphasized that this pipeline expansion is crucial for reducing vulnerability to price fluctuations and supply disruptions. By introducing multiple supply routes, the aim is to foster competition in the domestic market while minimizing geopolitical risks. These developments also align with Serbia’s broader economic goals and EU accession priorities by enhancing compatibility with European energy standards.
Simultaneously, Serbia continues negotiations for new short-term gas contracts with Russian suppliers, indicating a strategy that balances diversification efforts with the need for stable supply continuity as regional energy dynamics evolve.
The next two years are expected to be pivotal for Serbia’s gas sector as it establishes new international interconnectors and integrates its grid into complementary European supply corridors, preparing for a more diversified energy landscape post-2027.
