BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 26. Bulgaria is working to expand the capacity of its underground gas storage, Alexander Nikolov, Bulgaria’s energy minister, said in an exclusive interview with Trend.
“Bulgaria has one underground gas storage in Chiren /UGS Chiren/. It serves to cover seasonal fluctuations in consumption and is one of the instruments that contribute to the security of gas supplies. During the spring season, the UGS is filled and through the autumn-winter period gas is drawn from it. The storage capacity of natural gas in the UGS Chiren is 550 million cubic metres – approximately 1/6 of the annual consumption in Bulgaria. In order to enhance the security of natural gas supply, the storage operator – Bulgartransgaz EAD is working on a project to expand its capacity. It is planned to reach up to 1 billion cubic metres after the project is completed,” added the minister.
Nikolov noted that the project is of strategic importance for improving energy security, increasing competition and liquidity in the natural gas market in Bulgaria and the region.
“Since 2013, it has the status of a “Project of common interest” under Regulation (EU) No 347/2013. It is also a priority project under the Three Seas Initiative,” he added.
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