Vertical Corridor expands: Transgaz signs MoU — NRG-IA

Transgaz signs corridor expansion in Thessaloniki — how gas flows are being redrawn Transgaz signed the expansion of the Vertical Gas Corridor on September 4, 2026, integrating the networks of Serbia and North Macedonia into this strategic regional route. SNTGN Transgaz S.A. officially informed the Bucharest Stock Exchange about the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in Thessaloniki, Greece, a step that marks a new phase in expanding the corridor to the Western Balkans, according to reports published by Economica.net and e-nergia.ro. Through this agreement, the gas transmission systems of Central and Southeastern Europe become more tightly interconnected, paving the way for diversified commercial flows. Through this document, the Romanian natural gas transmission system operator joins the integration process of the new regional partners: Transportgas Serbia LLV (Serbia) and NOMAGAS JSC Skopje (North Macedonia). This expansion transforms an initially regional concept into an extended transit network capable of reorienting fuel flows from Southern Europe to Central and Eastern Europe. The signing of the document consolidates the strategic partnership between system operators from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova, and Ukraine, now joined by the two Western Balkan nations. The Vertical Corridor is no longer just a theoretical concept, but is becoming an interconnected operational infrastructure. The Thessaloniki signing consolidates Romania's geopolitical role, facilitating bidirectional gas transport and offering a viable alternative to traditional supply routes. Transgaz is thus assuming an active role of coordination and technical integration, ensuring the link between southern regasification terminals and industrial consumers further inland. Synchronization with the halt of Ukrainian transit and security of supply The accelerated expansion of the Vertical Corridor is directly driven by the urgent need to find alternative supply routes in the current geopolitical context. The imminent halt or severe limitation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine forces the Balkan and Central European states to secure alternative sources. Serbia and North Macedonia, historically dependent on imports from the east, are seeking direct access to liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Greece and storage facilities in Romania. The Alexandroupolis and Revithoussa terminals represent the entry gates for American, Qatari, or Azerbaijani LNG into the region. Connecting Serbia and North Macedonia to this corridor through existing pipelines and future interconnectors removes physical transport bottlenecks and offers increased flexibility during peak winter consumption periods. This network of corridors provides a regional safety net, reducing the potential for political pressure exerted through energy deliveries. Increased transit volumes through Romania and tariff optimization For the Romanian market, the entry of the two new operators into the Vertical Corridor means a direct increase in transit potential for the network managed by Transgaz. Additional volumes of gas crossing Romania from south to west and north will generate extra revenues from transmission tariffs, which could help amortize the massive infrastructure investments made by the Romanian operator in recent years, including the BRUA project and the development of the Ungheni-Chisinau pipeline. Furthermore, the integration of Western Balkan markets increases liquidity on regional trading platforms. Romania, with its significant underground storage capacities, can function as a balancing hub for the new corridor members, offering storage services during summer and delivery during cold periods, thereby optimizing the operational costs of the entire national transmission system. This mechanism will allow for better inventory management at the regional level, reducing price volatility on the spot market. Mandatory capacity tests and the interconnector investment timeline The next critical step following the signing of this memorandum is conducting binding market tests (Open Season) to allocate capacity on the new transport routes. Operators in the signatory states must synchronize their network codes, establish clear rules for cross-border capacity allocation, and define transit tariffs to ensure uninterrupted and predictable commercial flow. It remains to be seen how quickly technical upgrades at compressor stations and cross-border interconnection points in Serbia and North Macedonia will be completed. While the memorandum establishes the framework for political and strategic cooperation, the timeline for technical implementation depends directly on securing European funding and national regulatory decisions in each involved country, with full commercial commissioning expected in the coming years.