In a historic first for Greece and a milestone moment for Gastrade, the Alexandroupolis Independent Natural Gas System (INGS) has won the REGIOSTARS 2026 award in the “A Connected Europe” category. It is the first Greek project to receive the honor since the awards were launched in 2008.
With this award, the European Commission recognizes the project’s strategic contribution to interconnecting energy markets and strengthening the security and resilience of Europe’s energy system. The distinction also highlights the value of cooperation among countries and institutions in tackling shared challenges.
From its base in Alexandroupolis, the project opens a new gateway for liquefied natural gas (LNG) into Southeastern and Central Europe. At its heart is a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU), linked to Greece’s National Natural Gas Transmission System by a 28-kilometer subsea and onshore pipeline. The Alexandroupolis INGS strengthens energy cooperation across borders, broadens regional markets’ access to natural gas, and supports the development of a more interconnected and flexible European energy system.
The project also underscores Alexandroupolis’s strategic role as a focal point for energy development across the wider region.
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The project traces back more than 15 years to the vision of businessman Dimitris Copelouzos. Developed and operated by Gastrade, it shows that a Greek investment can achieve European reach and deliver value to the markets it serves.
European Union co-financing played a decisive role in delivering the project. Funding came through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Operational Programs “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship & Innovation” 2014–2020 and “Environment and Climate Change” 2021–2027.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Gastrade CEO Konstantinos Sifnaios said, among other remarks: “We are very excited and proud of this distinction. It took more than 15 years for Dimitris Copelouzos’s vision to become reality and evolve into an infrastructure whose impact reaches far beyond Greece’s borders.”
The REGIOSTARS Awards are a European Commission initiative that showcases projects supported by EU cohesion policy that make a meaningful contribution to the economic and social development of Europe’s regions. This year’s competition drew 274 entries from across the European Union, competing in five categories.