Croatia to spend more on gas infrastructure

Croatia’s state-owned gas operator, Plinacro, has said it will invest heavily in 2009 to broaden its network and storage facilities.

A four-year investment cycle is envisaged with 190 million euros being secured through the European Investment Bank.

Company management has said Plinarco plans a pipeline connection with Hungary and is also considering a liquefied natural gas terminal on the northern Adriatic coast as a means to attach to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline.

Croatia consumes some 3.2 billion cubic metres of gas annually, 60 percent coming from its own gas fields.

The rest is imported from Russia.