Konstantinos Sifneos, Vice President and CEO of the Greek energy firm Gastrade, confirmed that Serbia is set to utilize the Gastrade LNG terminal located in Alexandroupolis. He expressed confidence that Serbia will successfully transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) through this facility.
In a recent interview with a Serbian newspaper, Sifneos remarked that while countries in the Western Balkans generally lack preparedness for an LNG future, Serbia stands out as one of the most ready markets in the region. This readiness is attributed to its existing gas supply through major pipelines such as TurkStream and Balkan Stream, which offer significant capacity.
Sifneos highlighted that there is an operational interconnector with Bulgaria; however, its effectiveness within Serbia is currently hampered by local network limitations. He anticipates these constraints will be addressed, allowing Serbia to meet its domestic gas demand from alternative sources.
The CEO also pointed to ongoing regional infrastructure projects, including a gas interconnector being developed between Greece and North Macedonia, as well as planned future connections between North Macedonia and Serbia. These initiatives are expected to enhance flexibility and options for gas supply across the region.
Looking into the future, Sifneos envisions that Serbia will establish multiple gas supply routes in the coming years. This development is not only aimed at meeting domestic needs but also at positioning Serbia as a critical transit hub for neighboring countries such as Hungary. This aligns with broader efforts to diversify gas supply sources and reduce reliance on a single pipeline system.
The ongoing infrastructure enhancements are part of a strategy to connect the Alexandroupolis LNG terminal to the wider Balkan gas transmission networks. Once fully operational, these interconnectors will provide an alternative pathway for global LNG supplies.
Sifneos’s remarks highlight Serbia’s changing role in diversifying regional gas supplies and underscore the potential impact of new LNG infrastructure on enhancing energy security in Southeast Europe.
