Balkans: Serbia plans to begin South Stream gas pipeline by December 20th

The Serbian Government has done its best to prepare everything for the construction of one of the most ambitious projects in the country – the South Stream gas pipeline, the construction of which is expected to begin by December 20. The section of gas pipeline that passes through Serbia is worth 1.7 billion euros, and the project will be realized by the Russian-Serbian company South Stream Serbia. 

The South Stream gas pipeline is important for Serbia in terms of energy as well as in global economic terms. The project is viewed as a capital investment, which will be very profitable for Serbia because it will make the country energy independent and included in the map of European gas pipelines. All is set for this big project, with work expected to commence in February next year, with a starting position in municipality Kovilj, Vojvodina.

On the Serbian side, the project will be handled by the Srbijagas that established the company with the Russian Gazprom, which has a minority ownership – 49%. Based on the Government’s decision, the National Committee for Monitoring and Support of the South Stream has been formed, and the sum of 105 million euros has been allocated for the expropriation of land on the route of the pipeline. T

The Government has also passed the Law on South Stream in order to avoid delays related to administrative procedures, and the rules of pipeline pressure above 16 bar have been changed.  MORE