Bulgarian energy companies will cooperate with the US Trade and Development Agency
The Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov and the regional director for the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Asia of the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Carl Kress discussed an overview of the opportunities for deepening cooperation in the energy sector. The US Trade and Development Agency funds key projects and collaborates with companies to develop sustainable infrastructure and stimulate economic development in partner countries. At the Department of Energy, Mr. Kress presented the basic criteria that USTDA-supported projects must meet. This was announced today by the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy.
"For the Bulgarian side, the US Trade and Development Agency is a reliable partner for the realization of our main priorities in the energy field. Together we will exchange experience and build expertise for a successful response to the challenges related to the transformation of the sector," Minister Malinov said during the meeting. Specific project proposals in the field of nuclear energy, nuclear waste management, hydrogen development, expansion of power transmission networks and others were discussed.
Capacity building in the area of regulations for AR 1000 reactors, training of specialists for the construction of the new units at the Kozloduy NPP site, expertise in EIA, feasibility studies, expansion and upgrading of systems in connection with the diversification of nuclear fuel - these are part of the potential areas of cooperation between USTDA and Kozloduy NPP.
"Bulgartransgaz" EAD applied to the USTDA for financing a feasibility study for a pilot project for the production and use of green hydrogen for technological needs in the facilities of the underground gas storage "Chiren", it became clear during the meeting. The gas transmission operator is working on the future development of a transmission infrastructure for hydrogen, as well as on adapting the existing gas transmission system to work with hydrogen-gas mixtures.
The State Enterprise "Radioactive Waste" is working on a pre-project study on the possibilities of using American technology for possible burial in deep boreholes of spent nuclear fuel from the Kozloduy NPP. After approval by the Management Board of the RAW Fund, a grant agreement with USTDA is pending for the project.
The Electricity System Operator EAD and the United States Trade and Development Agency could cooperate in carrying out the exploration activities for an East-West energy corridor that would connect the operators of Turkey, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro forest and Italy. Expanding the possibilities for sharing produced electricity between different countries will contribute to energy security and improve market conditions in the region.