site.btaBulgaria Welcomes EC Plan for Geothermal Energy Development, Minister Malinov Says

Bulgaria welcomes the European Commission's strategy to decarbonize the heating and cooling sectors, accompanied by a European Action Plan for Geothermal Energy, said caretaker Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov Monday. He was speaking at a regular meeting of the EU Energy Ministers in Brussels. He added that the strategy provides for measures to accelerate geothermal projects, including possible guarantee schemes to mitigate investment risks. Malinov acknowledged the important role of geothermal energy in achieving renewable energy and energy efficiency targets, including for heating and cooling in the residential sector, energy supply in industrial parks and economic zones, as well as in overcoming energy poverty and air pollution. Malinov pointed out that Bulgaria considers with priority the introduction of geothermal energy technologies.

Malinov participated in the traditional meeting of the energy ministers of the Nuclear Alliance with the participation of the new Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen. Issues discussed included the Alliance's priorities for the next legislative steps in European legislation and the challenges to the objectives of decarbonization and competitiveness of the European economy.

Minister Malinov also held a bilateral meeting with Leonor Gewessler, Austrian Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology. Malinov expressed readiness to continue the active bilateral cooperation and assured that Bulgaria remains a reliable partner in the diversification of natural gas supply and transit to Central and Southеastern Europe. "As a shareholder in the LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis and with the possibility to supply gas through LNG terminals in Turkiye as well, we have an excellent chance to support the Austrian market with stable, secure and uninterrupted gas supplies," Malinov stressed.

He also talked to Sara Aagesen Munoz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environmental Transition and Demographic Challenges of Spain, with whom he discussed energy connectivity and the follow-up to the document announced by Bulgaria at the COP29 climate meeting in Baku in November.