site.btaPresident Plevneliev Confers with US Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs Hochstein

President Plevneliev Confers with US Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs Hochstein

Sofia, March 1 (BTA) - The Bulgarian energy sector went from a "grand slam" to sensible projects for energy efficiency, diversification of suppliers and supply routes of energy resources, and energy liberalization. "This is our great achievement," said here on Monday President Rosen Plevneliev, who conferred with US Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs Amos Hochstein, Plevneliev's Press Secretariat reported.

Former president Georgi Purvanov (2002-2012) referred to the projects for the Belene nuclear power plant, the South Stream gas pipeline and the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline as "a grand slam", none of which came to fruition.

The Southern Gas Corridor projects and the construction of the gas interconnector with Greece were outlined during the meeting as having a strategic significance for Bulgaria and the region. The interconnector with Greece will provide true diversification of natural gas suppliers and supply routes for the region and Europe. The construction of the interconnector is scheduled to start this October and expected to be ready by the middle of 2018.

"We have two goals - to not have the Bulgarian economy and the whole region dependent on one supplier of energy resources and for Europe to be less dependent on energy supplies at non-competitive prices," Plevneliev noted.

Plevneliev and Hochstein agreed that the energy market's integration and flexibility require better regional energy infrastructure connectivity. The expedited construction of Bulgaria's gas interconnectors with neighbouring countries is especially important for that. The connectivity of energy networks, the road, railway and communications infrastructure in the region is among the priorities of the Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process, Plevneliev said. He added that this country has been improving its national energy infrastructure in recent years and all the preconditions are present for Bulgaria to maintain its position as a regional energy distribution centre.