Minister Malinov discussed bilateral energy co-operation with the ambassadors of France and the United Kingdom
Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov and H.E. Joël Meyer, French Ambassador to Bulgaria, discussed joint action to achieve the decarbonisation of the European economy. Bilateral cooperation in the field of nuclear energy as a zero emission resource underpinning the achievement of the European Union's zero-carbon objectives was a key topic during the discussion. “The Bulgarian side relies on the experience of French experts in supplying fresh nuclear fuel from Framatome to Unit 6 of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. Their timely implementation in full is crucial in the process of diversification of supply,” Minister Malinov underlined. Nuclear energy is central to bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Bulgaria and the French Republic and is of strategic importance for European energy security.
“The greening of the economy worldwide is an irreversible process, and Bulgaria will also rely on the UK's experience for its implementation,” Energy Minister Malinov said during a meeting with the British Ambassador to Bulgaria, H. E. Dr Rob Dixon. They discussed the development of wind power, a major renewable source in the United Kingdom. “Bulgaria has a developed and regionally connected electricity grid. The widespread use of the so-called “smart grids” will increase the efficiency of our system, “Mallinov added.
In the course of the meetings, it was underlined, that companies from France and Britain have expressed a willingness to use Bulgaria's well-developed gas transmission network for the supply of liquefied natural gas. According to Minister Malinov, the share of the liquefied gas in the energy mix will continue to increase in the coming years. “The implementation of the Vertical Gas Corridor, an initiative of the gas transmission operators of Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine and Moldova, will provide the capacity to transport the liquefied natural gas volumes needed for the region of Southeastern Europe from reliable sources,” the Energy Minister added.
