Diversification is essential for the sustainable development of the energy sector, as emphasized by Bulgaria’s Energy Minister, Vladimir Malinov, during his speech on the Alexandroupolis LNG terminal. “The visionary decision we made years ago to invest in the LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis has proven to be the right choice,” he stated. “This infrastructure enhances the competitiveness of Greece, Bulgaria, and the entire region, and I believe it will also support Ukraine’s future recovery.”
Minister Malinov addressed participants at the REPowerEU Diversification Workshop, organized by the European Commission in Athens. The event included notable attendees such as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt, Greek Minister of Environment and Energy Theodoros Skilakakis, and Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Energy Mykola Kolisnyk.
With the operational status of the terminals in Revithoussa and Alexandroupolis, Malinov highlighted the need for infrastructure to transport natural gas from alternative sources. He noted that Bulgartransgaz, the Bulgarian gas transmission operator, is already working on a project to enhance transmission capacity between Bulgaria and Greece as part of the initiative to build a Vertical Gas Corridor.
“I am confident that both projects will be operational by the end of next year,” Malinov added, stating that this will enable access to markets in Moldova, Ukraine, Slovakia, Hungary, and Central Europe. This connectivity is crucial, especially following the planned suspension of Russian natural gas transit through Ukraine starting in January 2025.
