Ukraine and Hungary sign an agreement to increase gas imports from Europe
Natural gas transmission system operators of Ukraine and Hungary have signed an agreement to increase the guaranteed capacity for gas imports from Europe by one-third.
The press service of the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine reported this.
This is an increase in capacity from January 1, 2022. Thus, Ukraine increases the guaranteed capacity by almost 30% and will be able to transport up to 8 million cubic meters of gas per day (2.9 billion m3 per year) from Hungary to Ukraine.
"Together with the available 27 million cubic meters of daily capacity from Slovakia, this will increase the total guaranteed capacity for gas imports to Ukraine to 35 million cubic meters per day, which significantly strengthens the country's energy security," the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine said.
The General Director of the Operator Serhii Makohon noted that for the first time since 2014, Ukraine was increasing the guaranteed capacity for gas imports from Europe.
In the first three months of 2022, a test mode will be introduced. It is needed by operators to coordinate and adjust all technical and operational processes for the transportation of natural gas in the direction of Hungary – Ukraine. The first-day auction will take place on December 31, 2021.
In addition, the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are working to increase guaranteed capacity in Ukraine in other priority areas, including Slovakia and Poland.
The agreement also opens access to new sources of natural gas, in particular, the natural gas storage terminal on the island of Krk (Croatia).
