The Role of Gas Interconnections in the Energy Security of South East Europe
The Role of Gas Interconnections in the Energy Security of South East Europe

Summary/Abstract: The Russian-Ukrainian dispute over the natural gas transit and the subsequent disruptions in natural gas supply to some countries in South-East Europe (SEE) in 2006 and 2009 attracted considerable public and academic attention and it wouldn’t be overstated to say that they have changed the direction of the entire energy policy of the European Union. Sixteen years after the first gas crisis, in light of the current energy crises and the military conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, this paper attempts to illustrate the trends in the natural gas sector development in South-East Europe, to evaluate whether and how the role of the Russian natural gas supplies in the region’s energy security has changed and to examine what measures have been taken for the security of natural gas supplies in the region over the years. The results show that although the amount of Russian natural gas delivered to the SEE countries still represents the greatest share of their total gas supplies, concerns over possible disruptions have been addressed by developing the interconnectivity in the region and commissioning new infrastructure creating alternative options for the routes and sources of supply. Nevertheless, there is still what to expect in regard to interconnectivity and market integration of the Western Balkans.

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