Dead end ahead for Western Balkan gas plans, shows new analysis

Out of the 2,715 kilometres (km) of pipelines planned in 2023, most – 2,551 km – are still on the table (2). 

If built, annual import capacity to the region would be increased by 10.5 billion cubic metres – more than three times the region’s total fossil gas consumption in 2023 – at a time when the countries need to phase out all fossil fuels, including gas.

In addition, although Albania’s plans for an LNG terminal at Vlore have stagnated, Montenegro’s government recently revived plans for Bar despite fierce local opposition. 

The region’s gas power plant plans have increased, from 2.4 gigawatts (GW) in 2023 to 2.9 GW today. Although some have been quietly shelved, new ones have been announced.

Alexandru Mustata, Beyond Fossil Fuels – ‘The fossil gas addiction of some EU countries has left people with sky-high bills, caused supply disruptions and brought unsavoury bedfellows. The Western Balkans, far less hooked on gas, can keep their advantage and jump straight into a renewable future.’ 

Pippa Gallop, CEE Bankwatch Network – ‘Many of the planned projects will fail, as the EU has virtually closed the door on gas funding in the region. And those that go ahead are very likely to become stranded assets. To avoid losing precious time and money, Western Balkan governments need to urgently revise their gas plans in line with current data and double down on energy efficiency, heat pumps, and well-sited solar and wind.’

Contacts

Pippa Gallop, Southeast Europe energy policy officer, CEE Bankwatch Network

pippa.gallop@bankwatch.org

+385 99 755 9787

Alexandru Mustață, Coal & Gas Campaigner, Beyond Fossil Fuels

alexandru.mustata@bff.earth

Notes for editors

1. The briefing is available here: Dead end ahead: How gas plans are distracting the Western Balkans from the energy transition 
2. A previous regional gas infrastructure overview was published by Global Energy Monitor and CEE Bankwatch Network in March 2023 and can be found here.