Sofia was the host of the Black Sea Energy and Economic Forum, which focused on the “Energy security of the Black Sea region through public-private partnerships.” A focus of the discussions was also the future of the planned Bulgarian Belene NPP, as well as the Nabucco and South Stream gas pipeline projects, aimed to provide more energy sources to Europe. European Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger took part in the forum and pointed out the strategic importance of Bulgaria in the sphere, as energy security is one of the main EU priorities. According to the commissioner, 2010 will be a very important year for the sector. Gunther Oettinger said that an agreement for connecting the gas networks of Bulgaria and Serbia would be signed in Brussels, as financing for the project would be provided by the EU. The EU is also to finance the gas connection between Bulgaria and Romania, in order to avoid gas crises such as the one a year ago. “The EU Member States are dependent on foreign gas supplies and that is why investments in this sphere are of crucial importance,” Mr Oettinger pointed out. He told us more about the Nabucco gas pipeline project.
“The Nabucco gas pipeline project can be realized if it is beneficial for all countries involved in it, Mr Oettinger said. This is valid for the Caspian countries that are sources of the gas, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, as well as for all countries through which the pipeline would pass. The project is beneficial also to gas companies and companies engaged in energy production.”
Mr Oettinger pointed out that intensive discussions would be held in the next weeks in order for Bulgaria and the EU to reach agreement over the Belene NPP project. Decisions will be based on analyses of investment and market opportunities.
“Our Euro-Atlantic partners support the decisions of the Bulgarian government, which is of great importance,” Bulgarian PM Boyko Borissov said after meeting Mr Oettinger. “We agree that energy security is of major importance for the EU and the Member States. All details about the Belene project will be discussed and agreed with the commissioner.”
The PM also said Bulgaria is to demand a longer term for the shutdown of Units 5 and 6 of the plant – up to 2030. Mr Borissov thanked for the 90 million euro financing under the Regional Development Operational Programme of the EU for connecting the gas networks of Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania. “If we receive financing, it means we are on the right path,” Mr Borissov said.
Chairman of the Bulgarian delegation in the EPP group in the EP, Andrey Kovachev said in April or May 2010 the EP will vote on providing additional compensation of 300 million euro for the shutdown of Units 1,2,3, and 4 of the Kozloduy NPP.
“ I am convinced the EP will vote in favor of the compensations, Andrey Kovachev said. Of course, there are MEPs, who have different opinions. But I think the majority will vote for Bulgaria to receive 300 million euro in compensations. The big political groups in the EP have no major differences in relation to the issue. The Green Party are also not against the compensations but have some propositions related to the way the money are used – for example, to built a nuclear waste depot in Bulgaria, whic is something unacceptable for us.”
English: Alexander Markov
