The IAP project has been based on connecting the existing gas transmission system of Croatia via Montenegro and Albania with the TAP gas transmission system (Trans Adriatic Pipeline). The total length of the gas pipeline from Split to the Albanian city of Fieri, where it connects with TAP, equals 511 km.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is the fourth country in the project connecting to the IAP in Croatia. IAP will be a major diversification of the gas supply for the BiH, which receives gas only from Russian sources.
Pandemic and ‘other market circumstances’ delayed the implementation of one of the largest energy projects in this part of Europe, the source said. The complexity of the route, as well as the coordination of four different countries and four gas transmission system operators, affects the speed of activities and project implementation, Jutarnji reported.
So far, Croatia has withdrawn €3.5 million from EU funds to prepare the construction of the IAP. Montenegro and BiH have also received money for the IAP from Brussels in the total amount of €4.2 million.
The planned capacity of the IAP is five billion cubic metres of natural gas per year. Albania will use approximately one billion cubic metres, Montenegro would take half a billion, for southern BiH one billion cubic metres. Croatia would take over about 2.5 billion cubic metres a year for its own needs and the needs of countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
(EURACTIV.com, February 4, 2022)