The gas pipeline project, recognized as an EU Project of Common Interest, will have a total length of 170 km, divided over 62km in Bulgaria and 108km in Serbia.

Construction activities have commenced on the Bulgarian sector of the gas interconnector Bulgaria-Serbia (IBS). A grand event was organized in Golyanovtsi village, Kostinbrod Municipality, Sofia district, to mark the inauguration. The event was attended by representatives of the European Commission and the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).

The Interconnector Bulgaria-Serbia is a high priority project of the Central and South Eastern Europe energy connectivity (CESEC) High-Level Group. The IBS project is part of a broader process of diversification of gas supplies and a stepping stone for further enhancement of energy security in the region. The project is crucial to enable Serbia to diversify gas supplies, reduce import dependence on Russian gas, and provide alternative supply routes in South-East Europe.

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The gas pipeline will have a planned transmission capacity of 1.8 billion cubic meters per year with reverse flow capability. The Bulgarian section has been co-funded by the EU with 27.6 million euros under the Connecting Europe Facility Energy programme and 6 million euros from structural funds. The Serbian sector has also received Commission funding with a grant of 49.6 million Euros through the Instrument of Pre-Accession (IPA) Scheme.