site.btaBulgaria’s Energy Minister Meets Japanese Ambassador

Bulgarian Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov welcomed the Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria, Hisashi Michigami at the Energy Ministry. Within the framework of the talks the minister presented the main goals of the government for the development of the sector. In the gas sector Bulgaria has the ambition to be the first state to start to build the Vertical Gas Corridor connecting Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Hungary and Ukraine. It will allow the country to transport gas from the south to the north, Minister Stankov underlined. According to him, the building of units 7 and 8 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant is a strategic project in the field of nuclear power which will guarantee the energy security and independence of the country.

Minister Stankov underlined that Bulgaria possesses a perfectly developed electrical power and gas grid, as well as connections to neighboring countries, which assigns the country a key role in meeting the energy needs of the region. The energy minister acquainted the ambassador with the project for the transfer of green energy from the Caspian region through Bulgaria and Romania to Hungary. The progress on the project was discussed during the 10th Ministerial Meeting for the implementation of the Agreement for Strategic Partnership in the field of development and transfer of green energy, held recently in Budapest. Bulgaria stated its interest to join the initiative at the meeting.

The Minister of Energy noted the efforts of the government to balance the energy system, Bulgaria plans to build three new pumped storage hydroelectric plants, each with a capacity of 1000 Megawatts. 

Minister Stankov reiterated his gratitude to Japan for the longstanding cooperation with Toshiba. The corporation produced the original equipment for the Chaira pumped-storage hydro power plant and has now undertaken the reconstruction of the first aggregate of the plant.

The sides declared their readiness to deepen cooperation in the field of renewable energy and nuclear power, through the strengthening of the exchange of training and good practices. In view of the stability the regularly elected government ensures, Ambassador Michigami handed the minister an investment interest application of Japanese business in Bulgaria. In the middle of the year representatives of Japanese companies are expected to visit the country to study the business climate and investment possibilities in Bulgaria.