Petar Fildyshev: The share of LNG in the energy balance has increased many times over the last decade

Liquefied natural gas is not just an alternative raw material that has changed Europe's energy mix - it has become the main driver for rethinking and building the entire gas infrastructure in the region. This was stated by Petar Fildyshev, Director of "Natural Gas Trade" at MET Energy Trading Bulgaria, during his participation in the panel "The Role of Natural Gas and Transitional Fuels. Gas Networks and Energy Security" within the framework of the Green Transition Forum 5.0.

The largest transformation event in Central and Eastern Europe was held from June 16 to 20 at the Sofia Event Center. The organizers were Green Transition Forum, Dir.bg and 3E-news.net.

The discussion focused on natural gas in the energy transition, improving regional energy security through interconnected gas networks, the role of transition fuels - natural gas, biofuels, e-fuels, synthetic fuels, best practices for cross-border cooperation and infrastructure development, as well as the role of liquefied natural gas in the EU's energy security and supply chains.

In addition to Petar Fildyshev, the discussion also included Vladimir Malinov, CEO, Bulgartransgaz, Slavcho Neykov, Member of the Strategic Foresight Committee, GTF, Teodora Georgieva, CEO and Member of the Board, ICGB, Murat Heydarov, Executive Director for the Balkans, Socar, Predrag Gruyčić, Head of the Gas Department at the Energy Community Secretariat, Dmytro Lipa, Advisor to the CEO, Energy Company of Ukraine, Szabolcs I. Ferenc, Chairman and CEO, FGSZ Natural Gas Transmission, Svetoslav Benchev, Chairman, Bulgarian Oil and Gas Association, and Maria Krasteva, Executive Director, Bulgarian Gas Association. The panel was moderated by Claudia Patricolo, energy and climate journalist.

According to Fildyshev, over the past decade, the share of liquefied natural gas in Europe’s energy balance has increased not in percentages, but in multiples.

“This is the more visible side of its importance. Its other role, which is more accessible to experts, is that liquefied gas has become an engine for the development and change of infrastructure, including for its conceptualization in a different way,” he commented.

As a vivid example of this process, he pointed to the chain reaction triggered by the interconnector with Greece. Initially designed to deliver Azeri gas to Bulgaria, the very existence of the project proved to be key to making the decision to build the liquefied gas terminal in Alexandroupolis. In turn, the decision about the terminal strongly influenced Bulgartransgaz to become a shareholder in it.

"You see how a chain of successive changes is forming," Fildyshev noted.

Despite this positive dynamics, he emphasized that what has been done so far is not enough.

"The future development of the infrastructure is absolutely necessary in order to reach the level of diversification and security of supplies that the industry and people require. Security is exactly what they need," the expert said.

As further evidence of this need, he pointed to the initiative of the operators to develop the Vertical Gas Corridor.

However, a serious challenge arises here - regulations. "Experts see this need. Governments see this need. Brussels sees this need. And at some point it turns out that the allocation of capacity does not fully comply with European rules," Fildyshev explained, adding that such delays have thwarted supply opportunities in the spring.

He outlined two possible approaches to the problem. One is constantly changing regulation, which in itself is a huge obstacle to long-term energy projects. The other, his preferred approach, is the creation of more general and "broadly tailored" rules at the EU level, which would allow businesses and operators to take "faster, more timely and adequate actions" without the need to change the regulation itself.

Asked what a balanced approach to the energy mix is, Fildyshev replied that "complex questions usually have simple answers: no sudden moves, no short deadlines". According to him, no matter how large the subsidies for renewable energy and batteries are, they cannot compensate for the technological weaknesses of these technologies.

"Full stop. This transition, in order to be stable, will require time. A lot of time. It cannot happen all at once", he was categorical.

As an example of balanced development, he gave the strategy of MET. In parallel with the development of its own renewable energy capacity of 1.2 GW, the company also maintains the same amount of balancing capacity - the 800 MW Dunamenti gas power plant in Hungary, cogeneration in Spain and four gas storage facilities in Germany, which are also "a very good balancing technology". This ratio, in his words, provides certainty when entering new segments such as batteries.

The same principle applies to the company's gas business, where piped gas and liquefied gas do not compete, but complement each other.

"They are like two legs that support one body. This is the balanced approach," Fildyshev pointed out. The result of this strategy, according to him, is clearly visible - stable and positive financial results from MET Group's gas business over the years.

"Simply not to deny any of the technologies, but to use them consistently and implement them when we are certain that we can take on the change with all its pros and cons," said Petar Fildyshev.

Green Transition Forum 5.0 is establishing itself as a large and important platform for dialogue between the European Commission, national governments, experts, companies and the media. With its fifth edition, the forum positions Bulgaria as an active part of the conversation about the future of green policies in Central and Eastern Europe and even as an initiator of this debate in the region.

General Partners: Astellas Pharma Bulgaria, Geotrading AD, Electrohold Bulgaria, Assarel Medet AD, ARTEX ENGINEERING AD, Philip Morris Bulgaria

Main Partners: Dundee Precious Metals, Aurubis Bulgaria, UBB, MET Energy Trading Bulgaria, Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation, UN Global Compact, PHOTOMATE, European Investment Bank, Bulgarian Development Bank, Telelink Business Services, OMV Petrom, UniCredit Bulbank, Lidl Bulgaria, Heidelberg Materials Devnya AD with ANRAV project, Bayer, Mercuria, Elatsite-Med AD, Energeo EOOD, Geotechmin OOD, Geostroy AD, ITR Services EOOD, EVN Bulgaria, Sustainable Energy Supply OOD, Bulgarian Stock Exchange, Carbonaires, Vivacom, Glavbolgarstroy, Bulgarian Chamber of Builders, Electricity System Operator, Executive Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (BSMEPA)

Partners: POC "Doverie", BMF Port Burgas, wpd Bulgaria, FLAG Fund, Solar Academy Bulgaria Association, SOF Connect-operator of Vasil Levski Airport, TPP "BOBOV DOL", ICGB, Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD, NEC EAD, Bulatom, GCR, Junior Achievement Bulgaria, EIT Community Hub in Bulgaria, Cleantech Bulgaria, Bulgartransgaz EAD, Bulgarian Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers and the abbreviation: BFIEK, The Green for Growth Fund, Finance in Motion (FiM), ECO PARTNERS BULGARIA AD, Fund of Funds (FnF), First Investment Bank, AES, Porsche BG, NEXT BASKET, Devin, Raiffeisen Advisory EOOD, Delta Cloud OOD, DOZZA drinks, Omega Power Group EOOD, Chill&Bite micro market, Cult Gourmet Catering, Sweet and Salty for Friends.