site.btaWorking Groups to Speed Up Implementation of New Kozloduy Capacities, Vertical Gas Corridor

By order of Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, interdepartmental working groups were established to accelerate the implementation of projects for the construction of new nuclear capacities at Kozloduy and the Vertical Gas Corridor. Their main purpose is to assist in the implementation of all legal procedures related to the projects. 

The groups which held their first meetings comprise of representatives of the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Environment and Water, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "The projects are of strategic importance for ensuring the energy security of the country and the region in the long run," said Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov, who was appointed by the Prime Minister as head of the working groups. 

The projects, part of the Vertical Gas Corridor initiative between Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine and Moldova, provide an opportunity to transport additional volumes of natural gas from diverse and reliable sources from south to north. Increasing the natural gas transmission capacities at the Kulata/Sidirokastro interconnection points in the direction from Greece to Bulgaria and Negru Voda/Kardam in the direction from Bulgaria to Romania are of key importance for the implementation of one of the main priorities of the government in the energy sphere – diversification of energy sources. Part of the initiative is the project for incoming high-pressure gas transmission infrastructure to supply consumers in the Maritsa East region, which is of paramount importance in terms of ensuring a new economic image of the region. 

The priority implementation of these projects will help to increase competition in the sector and achieve better conditions for all consumers not only in our country but also in the whole region. The development of nuclear energy is a major priority of the government in the energy sphere, which is key to successfully achieving the goals of decarbonization and energy security. The project for new nuclear capacities at the Kozloduy NPP site is strategic for the country. The coordination and close coordination in the work of all involved departments under the project are leading to its successful implementation.