Inčukalns UGS modernisation project nears completion, with €10.6 million to be invested this year 

The modernisation project of the Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage (UGS), implemented by the single gas transmission and storage system operator Conexus Baltic Grid AS (Conexus), will be completed at the end of this year, with another EUR 10.6 million invested in the storage facility this year. In total, the total funding for this European investment project has reached €99.5 million over seven years.

This year's investments include the reconstruction of gas collection point No 3, landscaping and painting works in the well area, and the installation of a US-made gas pumping unit - Solar Turbines Titan 130 - at compressor station No 1.

"One of the most important energy infrastructure development projects in Latvia is rapidly coming to an end. This project has been not only a great technical challenge, but also an excellent example of teamwork, the successful implementation of which would not have been possible without close cooperation between our specialists, engineers and partners. Work is progressing according to schedule and this major European investment project, which will significantly improve the security of natural gas supply and system resilience across the region, will be completed by the end of this year. We are already seeing significant benefits, including increased efficiency and system flexibility to adapt to future demands," said Uldis Bariss, Conexus CEO.  

In total, the Inčukalns UGS upgrade works will be implemented by the end of 2025, with a total investment of EUR 99.5 million, of which EUR 44 million is covered by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

This project involves the upgrade of the above-ground infrastructure, including the rebuilding of the gas gathering point No.3, the rehabilitation of the wells, the modernisation of the existing five gas pumping units and the installation of a new gas pumping unit, improving the security of natural gas supply, increasing the operational capacity of the storage facility and facilitating the integration into the international energy market.

The redevelopment of gas collection point No 3 is currently underway, including the commissioning of Phase 1 and the construction of Phase 2, which will be completed and commissioned in the autumn. The rehabilitation of all 36 boreholes has already been completed under the project and the landscaping and painting of the borehole area is currently underway in preparation for the commissioning of the facility. All five upgraded gas pumping units have already been commissioned, while the assembly and installation of the US-built gas pumping unit, Solar Turbines Titan 130, is currently underway at Compressor Station No 1, which is scheduled to be commissioned in the autumn.