Bulgatransgaz: Cooperation with reliable LNG suppliers ensures uninterrupted supplies in Bulgaria

Cooperation with reliable LNG suppliers has ensured uninterrupted supplies to the country, said Bulgartransgaz CEO Vladimir Malinov at the Fourth Southeast Europe and Eastern Mediterranean Conference in the US.

"Maintaining energy security requires effective cooperation with reliable suppliers to ensure that the economy and society function with sufficient energy at a reasonable cost. The energy crisis over the past year has demonstrated the urgent need for solidarity and coordinated action to secure energy supplies and cope with the unprecedented increase in gas prices," Malinov was quoted as saying by the Bulgartransgaz press centre on February 8.

The high-level forum, which is being held in the United States capital, Washington, is organised by the Delphi Economic Forum and American organisations. Participants discussed the importance of regional partnership in ensuring energy security.

Bulgartransgaz recalled that Bulgaria was the first EU country with interrupted Russian gas supplies.

"Cooperation with reliable partners such as the US and other LNG producers, and with Greece, allowed us to maintain gas supplies to Bulgarian industry and households without restrictions," Malinov stressed.

In his words, the development of LNG receiving terminals in the Eastern Mediterranean, together with a well-developed gas transmission infrastructure, give Greece and Bulgaria the status of energy gateways to Eastern and Central Europe. He reminded the participants that Bulgartransgaz EAD is a 20% shareholder in the LNG terminal project near Alexandroupoulis, Greece.

Natural gas is an environmentally friendly energy source and will continue to play a key role in achieving decarbonisation targets in the coming years, Bulgartransgaz said. In addition, the gas transmission infrastructure provides an opportunity for the successful and accelerated introduction of hydrogen into the energy mix. Gas transmission system operators will also play a key role in this process.

The significant potential of the Eastern Mediterranean region and South East Europe for both green hydrogen production and imports from trusted and reliable partners will undoubtedly encourage investment in hydrogen infrastructure.

"Bulgartransgaz" EAD and the Greek transmission operator DESFA are already working to interconnect hydrogen networks.

This will allow us to maintain our key role in a sustainable and secure energy supply for the region, contributing to the green transition and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.