Alexander Nikolov: Bulgargaz's management examines all possible scenarios for alternative supplies

Of course, there is a risk of suspending supplies from Gazprom to Bulgargaz, but no action by Russia can be predicted. However, if it refers only to the reason for payment, I do not think this is an option, said in "This Sunday" on BTV Energy Minister Alexander Nikolov. According to him, there should be a division between the method of payment, the possibility of payment, the desire to pay. This comes in a comment on the possibility of suspending supplies due to the suspension of payment options after Russia is excluded from the international payment system SWIFT.

This was commented earlier on BTV by Georgi Kadiev, politician and former Minister of Finance. According to him, Bulgargaz will not be able to pay to Gazprom, because the transfer cannot pass Russia will not continue with gas supplies if there is no prepayment. Gazprom's accounts, even if in Western banks, will be frozen, Kadiev said.

According to the Minister of Energy, the first main reason to comment on this topic is whether there is a desire for delivery and the risk of its interruption. Then there are the ways and the possibility of payment, Nikolov commented.

At the moment, there is no reduction in pressure or difficulties in the supply of natural gas, he said

A meeting of the European energy ministers is coming up soon to discuss all possible supply risks and what the energy card would look like if it were delayed.

Alexander Nikolov said that drastic increases in natural gas prices should not be expected.

The good news for Bulgaria is that electricity is produced entirely by Bulgarian companies. Yes, there is a long-term and medium-term risk of rising inflation, but no shock changes are expected, the energy minister said.

Bulgargaz's management is first examining all possible scenarios for alternative supplies, as the uncertainty is quite high, the energy minister added.

We have examined in detail all alternative fuels that can replace natural gas if necessary, especially in district heating companies. The management of Bulgargaz has talked to all potential partners about alternative routes for both conventional and liquefied natural gas supplies, Alexander Nikolov explained.

Apart from that, in the last few weeks steps have been taken to retain maximum amounts of natural gas in the system.

As we know, only 3% of households in Bulgaria use natural gas, while business use is more widespread.

According to the former Deputy Foreign Minister Milen Keremedchiev, an energy crisis is possible because the EU has not learned its lesson from the Crimean crisis and the European economy's dependence on Russian gas has increased from 26% to 40%, coal - 48%, oil - 28%. Russia has done everything possible to keep European gas storage facilities full, so as not to lead to an energy crisis, Keremedchiev stressed.

Bulgaria is over 90% dependent on Russian gas supplies, experts remind, but reassure that a possible crisis can be overcome.

Our country will find it difficult to meet the needs of natural gas, as it depends on 94% of supplies from Russia. This was explained by Martin Vladimirov from the Center for Direct Democracy on BNT. He therefore recommends swift action so that we have a plan B.

"The government should take urgent measures to conclude special solidarity agreements in the event of a gas crisis with Greece, Romania and Turkey. Such agreements are part of the European Regulation on Security of Gas Supply and many Member States have already concluded similar agreements with their neighbors. Bulgaria is not among them yet. " says Martin Vladimirov, Director of the Energy and Climate Program at the Center for the Study of Democracy

Then Bulgaria will be able to rely on gas supplies from neighboring countries. Vladimirov explained that a number of countries already have agreements with each other, but ours is not among them. But the purchase of liquefied gas will require swift action by Bulgaria, Vladimirov said.