Energy Minister Rumen Radev launched on 21 July an expansion of the aboveground part of the gas storage in Chiren. The actual construction work on the new infrastructure began later in the day. Radev pointed out that the project is recognized as being one of the most significant in the energy field in Europe.
The project is valued at around EUR 308 million, of which around a quarter (EUR 78 million) comes from European funding. The expansion will pump 10 million cubic metres of gas per day. This will ensure security of gas supply not only for Bulgaria but for the whole region.
Talking about nuclear energy, Radev explained that there is a high level of readiness for an intergovernmental agreement with the United States on the fresh nuclear fuel supplies for Unit 5 of Bulgaria’s Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), but the coordination procedure with the bodies of the European Commission needs to be finalized first. That procedure is compulsory when nuclear energy and non-EU countries are concerned, he specified, adding that he expects the procedure to be over in early autumn. Afterwards, it is a matter of protocol to finalise the agreement itself.