site.btaEnergy Ministry: Bulgaria and Oman to Sign Memorandum on Energy Cooperation

Caretaker Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov and his Omani counterpart, H.E. Eng. Salim al-Aufi, agreed on signing a Memorandum of Understanding to promote bilateral relations between the two countries in the field of energy, Malinov’s Ministry reported on Friday. The Memorandum, which will be signed in the next two months, will allow deepening cooperation in the fields of oil, natural gas, hydrogen, production and storage of renewable energy, as well as potential investments by Oman in Bulgaria’s energy sector.

"The security and diversification of energy supplies is an integral part of Bulgaria's national security. In this regard, one of the leading goals for our country is to secure liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies in the long term," Malinov said. He recalled that after October 1, 2024, the LNG terminal near Alexandroupolis, Greece, in which Bulgaria is a stakeholder, will be put into commercial operation.

Salim al-Aufi expressed his interest in Bulgaria's experience in operating pumped storage hydropower plants as one of the options for storing energy produced from renewable sources.

The counterparts discussed the possibility of supplying LNG to Bulgaria to be used in the upcoming winter season. The ministers also discussed potential cooperation in the field of hydrogen as a clean source of energy. Malinov said that "Bulgaria could be a gateway for producers and traders of hydrogen, which to be marketed in Europe… Together with Greece, we have already developed a project for the construction of a hydrogen interconnector, which has also been a project of common interest for the EU. Romania is also interested in joining the project". The two sides agreed that the topics discussed should be included in the Memorandum, which will serve as a basis for the development of bilateral relations.