**Ukraine Finds Cheaper Alternative to Russian Gas**
In a move that will help the country avoid expensive gas imports from Russia, Ukraine has developed an alternative Transbalkan gas import route. This new route allows for cheaper imports and bypasses Russian-origin gas.
The new route is expected to be operational from June, with the potential to import up to 1 billion cubic meters of gas in the lucrative June-October period, including 100 million cubic meters in June alone. Ukraine currently imports gas via Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary. The country stopped buying Russian gas in 2015 and also halted the transit of Russian gas through its territory to Europe in January.
**Breaking Free from Russian Dependence**
Ukraine’s decision to develop an alternative gas import route is a significant move towards breaking free from Russian dependence on energy imports. The country has been vocal about not wanting to buy gas from Russia since 2015, citing the ongoing conflict between the two countries. Ukraine’s energy regulator approved a new gas import mechanism last month that aims to avoid high transit fees associated with importing gas through the Transbalkan pipeline.
**Technical Details and Benefits**
The new route involves shipping gas via the Transbalkan pipeline from Greece to Ukraine, using natural gas supplied by Greek LNG terminals or the TAP pipeline with Azerbaijani gas. This minimizes the possibility of transporting Russian-origin gas. The daily import capacity is expected to be 7 million cubic meters of gas, which can compete with alternative routes for gas imports to Ukraine.
**Impact on Energy Imports**
Ukraine’s energy needs are significant, especially during the heating season. The country needs to import at least 4 billion cubic meters of gas for the new 2025/26 heating season, according to government estimates. Analysts and former officials have estimated that imports will be around 6.3 billion cubic meters.
**A Win-Win Situation**
The development of this alternative Transbalkan gas import route is a win-win situation for Ukraine. Not only does it provide a cheaper and more reliable source of energy, but it also reduces the country’s dependence on Russian gas supplies.
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