Within the framework of the Investors Round Table held in Varna in the period September 4-6, 2016 Bulgartransgaz EAD presented to the interested parties the concept for the construction of Balkan gas distribution centre on the territory of Bulgaria. The Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, the Deputy Prime Minister for EU Funds and Economic Policy Tomislav Donchev, the Minister of Energy Temenuzhka Petkova, the Chairperson of the Energy and Water Regulation Commission Ivan Ivanov were amongst the official guests of the event. Representatives of the European Commission were the Director General for Energy Dominique Ristori and the Director for Internal Energy Market Klaus-Dieter Borchardt.
The Bulgarian gas transmission operator Bulgartransgaz EAD presented the prerequisites for the realization of the construction of a gas hub in the country – the strategic location of Bulgaria, the existing well-developed gas transmission network, the works on the modernization of the network and the gas storage facility in Chiren. The Balkan gas hub will, in the words of the Executive Director of the company ensure to the European users transparent and non-discriminatory access to a wide range of supply sources.
Mr. Klaus-Dieter Borchardt underlined the importance of the Balkan gas hub for the European integrated market. The project will guarantee the energy security both to Bulgaria and the region of Southeast and Central Europe. “If we manage to attract considerable amounts of natural gas supplies the Balkan gas hub will become competitive with the already existing hubs in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands,” added Borchardt.
Representatives of strategic energy companies, international financial institutions, pension and investment funds, natural gas transiting companies and natural gas traders took part in the investors’ meeting. Eustream (Slovakia), TOTAL Gas Branch, SOCAR (Azerbaijan), OMV Gas & Power GmbH, RWE Supply and Trading GmbH GASTRADE S.A., DEPA S.A. (Greece), Transgaz S.A. (Romania), DESFA (Greece), FLUXYS S.A. (Belgium), Engie, Cheinere Energy Inc. (USA), Rothschild, Mangold Consulting, Copelouzos Group, Vitol S.A./VBG Energy (Switzerland), Russian Energy Agency, JP SRBIJAGAS (Serbia), ICGB, Insa Oil, BFIEC, City Gas, China Energy Finance Company, Gasunie, Institute for International Integration Studies (Russia), EBRD, Petroceltic International, Buyle Legal, Alpha-energy, Bulgarian Association Natural Gas, ID Global Capital USA, Roland Berger, ACER, Petroceltic International, Bulgarian Energy Holding, BOEHM-BEZING MAYER & CIE., M & M Gas Co., Justus Lipsius & Partners a.s. were some of the companies attending the event.
