Vladimir Malinov: Cooperation with reliable suppliers of liquefied natural gas ensured uninterrupted supply to the country

"Maintaining energy security requires effective cooperation with reliable suppliers to ensure the functioning of the economy and society with sufficient energy at a reasonable price." The energy crisis of the last year has demonstrated the urgent need for solidarity and coordinated action to secure energy supplies and to deal with the unprecedented increase in gas prices." This was said by the executive director of "Bulgartransgaz" EAD Vladimir Malinov during the Fourth Conference on South-Eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

The high-level forum, which takes place in the capital of the United States of America - Washington, is organized by the Delphi Economic Forum and American organizations. The participants discussed the importance of the regional partnership in guaranteeing energy security, reported Bulgartransgaz.

Bulgaria was the first country in the EU to be cut off from Russian gas supplies. "Cooperation with reliable partners such as the USA and other producers of liquefied natural gas and with Greece allowed us to maintain gas supplies for the Bulgarian industry and households without restrictions", emphasized Malinov. In his words, the development of receiving terminals for liquefied natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean, together with the well-developed gas transmission infrastructure, give Greece and Bulgaria the status of energy portals to Eastern and Central Europe. He reminded the participants that Bulgartransgaz EAD is a co-shareholder with 20% in the project to build a liquefied natural gas terminal near Alexandropoulis, 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. In addition, the gas transmission infrastructure provides an opportunity for the successful and accelerated introduction of hydrogen into the energy mix. The operators of gas transmission systems will also play a key role in this process.

The significant potential of the Eastern Mediterranean and South Eastern Europe region for both green hydrogen production and its import 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 the sustainable and secure energy supply for the region, contributing to the green transition and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.