YEREVAN, DECEMBER 20, ARTSAKHPRESS. Before the end of the year, within ten days, I expect the negotiations with Turkiye on natural gas supply to be completed, caretaker Energy Minister Rossen Hristov told the morning show of NovaTV on Tuesday. In his words, up to 30% of the gas that Bulgaria receives can pass through Turkiye. He explained that the negotiations are about the connection between the Bulgarian gas transmission network and the Turkish one. His expectations are that the contract for the use of the Turkish gas transmission network will be for at least 13 years.
Hristov noted that there is a possibility to use the Turkish liquefied gas terminals, speaking of quantities of about one billion cubic meters per year. According to him, it is a unique opportunity for Bulgaria, unveiled during the visit of President Rumen Radev and a Bulgarian delegation to Turkiye ten days ago, where the Head of State discussed energy projects with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The next step is to negotiate the delivery of liquefied gas by ships. Turkiye is offering Bulgaria to join the negotiations with their suppliers from the United States and Norway, Hristov said.
When the contracts with Turkiye come into force, 30% of the natural gas imported in Bulgaria will be through Turkish territory. Another 30% will come from Greece and the rest from Azerbaijan, Hristov specified. He was adamant that this diversification will make gas supplies more secure. According to him, the annual gas consumption in Bulgaria is about 3.5 billion cubic metres.
Hristov also commented on the natural gas price cap agreed on at European level on Monday. The EU energy ministers agreed on a cap on wholesale gas prices – EUR 180 per megawatt-hour (MWh). He said he anticipated gas prices to begin to fall because of the cap.
The price of gas for January will become known on December 31. Hristov expressed hope that it will be bellow BGN 200 per MWh. He predicted a certain price increase of about 30%.
