Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition (CPC) said that it has temporarily suspended a tender for the expansion of above- ground infrastructure at underground gas storage Chiren, following a complaint filed by local company Nova Gas 2021.
According to CPC, Nova Gas objected that certain technical parameters and conditions of the tender were restrictive, such as requirements by Bulgartransgaz for the use of gas turbines produced by US company Solar Turbines.
Nova Gas 2021 is jointly owned by power plant equipment maintenance company Atomenergoremont and construction companies Rapid Build and Habau.
In mid-March Bulgarian natural gas transmission system operator Bulgartransgaz said that it has launched two public procurement procedures related to the expansion of the Chiren underground gas storage facility, a project described as strategically important for improving energy security and increasing competitiveness and liquidity on the natural gas market in Bulgaria and the region. The project is worth over 150 million euros (excluding VAT).
Since 2013, the expansion of the Chiren facility has been on the EU list of the Projects of Common Interest (PCI). The project is part of Bulgaria’s energy strategy and is an inseparable part of the infrastructure contributing to the concept of a gas distribution center on the country’s territory, together with the projects for modernizing Bulgartransgaz’ infrastructure, the Alexandroupoli liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, and the gas interconnectors with Greece and Serbia.
