The expansion of the gas transmission route to Hungary is in its final stages

The Croatian operator Plinacro and the Hungarian operator Földgázszállító Zrt. (FGSZ) have agreed to increase the capacity of the Croatian–Hungarian natural gas interconnector. According to a joint statement by the two system operators, the capacity of the Drávaszerdahely–Alsómiholjác (Donji Miholjac) cross-border interconnector from Croatia to Hungary would be increased from 200,000 to 400,000 standard cubic metres per hour.

The expansion is conditional upon the completion of the Bosiljevo–Šišak and Kozarac–Šišak gas pipeline construction projects.
According to the on-site report by Plinacro at the end of July, the construction of both pipelines has reached its final stage. The shorter Kozarac–Šišk section is expected to be completed by the end of September 2026, whilst the Bosiljevo–Šišk pipeline is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
According to the plans, the expanded capacity should be available from 31 December 2026.

They are building a power line over 100 kilometres long

One element of the development is the construction of the approximately 101-kilometre-long Bosiljevo–Šišk gas pipeline. The system, constructed from steel pipes with a nominal diameter of DN 800, has been designed for an operating pressure of 100 bar. The pipeline runs predominantly underground, with above-ground facilities being built at the sectioning stations, the intermediate purification station and the gas interconnections.
The pipeline route passes through the counties of Karlovac and Sisak-Moslavina, largely within the existing JANAF infrastructure corridor.
The project includes, amongst other things, the construction of eight sectioning stations and one intermediate purification and sectioning station. In addition, the metering and pressure regulation station in Šišk will be reconstructed.

The Kozarac–Šišek section could be completed by the end of September

As part of the project, a gas pipeline approximately 21 kilometres long is being constructed between Kozarac and Šišak. This section will be built using steel pipes with a nominal diameter of DN 800 and is designed for an operating pressure of 100 bar.
The pipeline will start at the Kozarac II gas hub and end at a new gas hub to be built within the extended area of the existing Sziszek metering and pressure regulation station.
The works will include, amongst other things, the construction of the Brezovica sectioning and blow-off station at both ends of the pipeline, as well as the reconstruction and expansion of the Topolovac station. Corrosion protection for the gas pipeline and its optical connectivity will also be completed.

Hungary could be connected to the coastal LNG terminal

The two projects form part of a comprehensive development programme for Croatia’s gas infrastructure. The programme comprises four pipelines with a total length of 216 kilometres: in addition to the Bosiljevo–Šišk and Kozarac–Šišk sections, it includes the 58-kilometre Zlobin–Bosiljevo pipeline and the 36-kilometre Zabok–Lučko pipeline.

To carry out the project, Plinacro received a non-repayable grant of 533 million euros from the European Union.
The new infrastructure will connect the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the island of Krk with the transport routes leading to Hungary and Slovenia. The pipelines are being designed so that they will also be suitable for transporting hydrogen in the future.

Capacity expansion and the diversification of supply sources will also be implemented

According to Ivica Arar, Chairman of the Board of Plinacro, the investment will increase the volume of natural gas available from Croatia and strengthen the stability of the region’s gas supply.
Szabolcs I. Ferencz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FGSZ, pointed out that the capacity expansion will contribute to the diversification of supply sources for Hungary and the region, as well as strengthening the route for the transmission of Croatian LNG to landlocked countries.