Minister Malinov: The public procurement for the expansion of the Chiren gas station is temporarily suspended

Ivan Stoyanov

"While the inspection is in progress, the contract for the expansion of the Chiren gas plant has been temporarily suspended. This will ensure that all procedures will be fully transparent and in accordance with legal norms." This was said by the Minister of Energy, Vladimir Malinov, during a briefing, where he commented on the subject of the investigation by the European Prosecutor's Office, which began in Bulgartransgaz. Kiril Ravnachki, the executive director of Bulgartransgaz, also took part in the press conference.

The minister welcomed and admired the inspection, stating that it was a normal practice and a confirmation of the transparency of the company's activities. Malinov stressed that the order was already checked by the State Financial Inspection Agency (SFIA) this year, and no violations were found. According to him, all requirements were strictly observed.

He announced that so far no construction activities have been carried out, nor have any acts been signed related to the implementation of the project. "Furthermore, no requests for payments have been made by the contractor, nor have any payments been made, except for an advance payment that is fully secured," Malinov stressed.

The minister emphasized the importance of the project for the diversification and storage of natural gas in Bulgaria and its role for national security. He called for the inspection to be carried out quickly in order not to delay the implementation of the project and not to lose the European funding.

On the occasion of the signal from the Bulgarian Energy and Mining Forum, on the basis of which the inspection probably started, the minister stated that the technical solutions were developed by international specialists and were approved by an expert council of "Bulgartransgaz". He expressed confidence that the project will be implemented transparently and in the interest of Bulgaria.

Malinov also indicated that if he receives an offer from acting Prime Minister Gorica Grancharova to remain in his post, he will accept it in order to bring the started projects and the inspection to a successful end.

To a journalist's question about the contract with the Turkish company "Botash", Malinov said that he will comply and fully implement the decision of the National Assembly, which obliges him to renegotiate this contract. It is expected that the negotiations with the Turkish side will continue in the coming days.

Malinov drew attention to the tripartite agreement, which concerns the provision of the necessary access in connection with the signed contract between "Botash" and "Bulgargaz". "The contract or tripartite agreement and subsequently concluded interconnection agreement is financially beneficial for Bulgartransgaz." What we managed to achieve is the possibility to transfer natural gas from Turkey to Bulgaria, and accordingly this leads to equality, transparent offering of this capacity, on an electronic platform and revenues, which from the beginning of the contract to the present moment for "Bulgartransgaz" is over BGN 100 million," the minister specified.

The Minister of Energy also commented on the Ministry's information regarding the water and water levels of the dams needed for the energy sector.

"It's certainly one of the key topics we're looking at right now. The reserve of water in the dams, which are under the management of companies, within BEH and under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Energy, is more than 14% lower compared to the average value for the last five years," commented Minister Malinov.

We remind you that the Turkish side wanted to receive additional quantities of water from Bulgaria, in exchange for supplies of electricity in the winter. The proposal was rejected by the Ministry of Environment and Water.