EC clears operation of Hungarian-Slovakian interconnector

Energy Trade

The European Commission (EC) has cleared the operation of the Hungarian-Slovakian gas interconnector pipeline following a change in the ownership structure of Hungarian state-owned Magyar Gáz Tranzit (MGT), which operates the interconnector, Hungarian daily Népszabadság said on Saturday.

The interconnector is scheduled to undergo a test run between March 10 and April 30, however several months may be needed before the pipeline becomes fully operational, the paper noted.

Driven by previous criticism from the EC, the Hungarian government decided to transfer ownership of the interconnector company to the Hungarian Ministry of Interior from the previous owners, state-owned energy group MVM and MFB Invest, a unit of state-owned Hungarian development bank MFB, in August 2014, the daily writes.

Following the move, the EC said it had approved the change as the ministry is not present on the Hungarian gas market, and the ministers can act on their own independently of the prime minister, the daily reported.

Hungarian news agency MTI notes that the €150 mln Hungarian-Slovakian interconnector runs for 111 kilometers and was set to start commercial operation in early 2015. The agency added that the interconnector has a capacity of about 4 billion cubic meters a year in the Slovak-Hungarian direction and about 1.6 billion cubic meters annually in the opposite direction.

ADVERTISEMENT

Szijjártó: Nuclear Energy Key to Achieving Climate Goals Pollution

Szijjártó: Nuclear Energy Key to Achieving Climate Goals

Varga in Talks With Big Firms on Global Min Corporate Tax Ra... Government

Varga in Talks With Big Firms on Global Min Corporate Tax Ra...

Wizz Air Celebrates 2.5 Millionth Passenger Flying From Debr... Transport

Wizz Air Celebrates 2.5 Millionth Passenger Flying From Debr...

Budapest Ranked 4th Best Autumn Getaway Spot in Europe Tourism

Budapest Ranked 4th Best Autumn Getaway Spot in Europe

SUPPORT THE BUDAPEST BUSINESS JOURNAL

Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For 27 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.
Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.