site.btaEnergy Minister Stankov: Bulgaria Contributes to Europe's Energy Security Through Connectivity, Diversification and Secure Energy Supplies

For Bulgaria, connectivity, diversification, and the security of energy supply are key priorities. “We are a reliable and active partner in building a strong, modern, and sustainable European energy system,” said Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov in Athens on Friday, during the Sixth Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC).

Minister Stankov underscored that efforts to accelerate the transition toward a low-carbon and secure economy require a higher degree of infrastructure connectivity, regional coordination, and unified market mechanisms in Central and Southeastern Europe.

He highlighted the strategic role of international gas projects in which Bulgaria is actively involved, including the Southern Gas Corridor, crucial for diversifying energy sources to Europe, and the Vertical Gas Corridor, an initiative that expands natural gas routes and enhances energy security. “Ukraine and Moldova must be part of this initiative, as it will increase the security of supply throughout the entire region,” Minister Stankov said.

Stankov also underlined the importance of Bulgarian-American cooperation in high technology and nuclear energy. The construction of the 7th and 8th units of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant using Westinghouse’s AP1000 technology makes Bulgaria the first European country to implement this innovative and safe design.

He also pointed to the deepening partnership with the US Department of Energy in developing small modular reactors (SMRs) and the Memorandum between the University of North Dakota and the Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) on the exploration of rare earth elements, resources of key importance for the energy transition and the high-tech industry, as excellent examples of the growing cooperation between the two countries.

“With the development of new nuclear capacities, Bulgaria will further strengthen its role as a provider of affordable, reliable, and clean energy in the region,” said Minister Stankov. He also emphasized that the Ministry of Energy will continue to work actively to reinforce regional energy infrastructure, expand strategic partnerships, and accelerate the modernization of the energy sector for the benefit of European citizens and economies.

Within the framework of the forum, Minister Stankov also took part in a meeting dedicated to the progress of the Vertical Gas Corridor, chaired by U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.

During the meeting, Bulgaria’s significant progress was acknowledged — the country is a leading participant in the project’s implementation and was the first to begin specific construction and technical activities for building key infrastructure segments. It was emphasized that the development of the corridor strengthens Europe’s energy security, reduces dependence on Russian natural gas, and opens opportunities for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies to European partners.

“In the context of the transition period, the role of liquefied natural gas (LNG) is particularly important. Despite the EU’s priority focus on clean energy, it still needs reliable sources to ensure stable supplies and avoid energy crises,” said Minister Stankov.

According to him, expanding the capacity for LNG reception, storage, and transmission is crucial, as it provides broader geographical and commercial diversification of energy supply. “Eighty percent of the compressor stations in the region are located on Bulgarian territory, which gives us a key role in ensuring supply security,” the Energy Minister noted.

A strong interest in the development of Bulgaria’s energy sector was expressed by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum during his meeting with the Bulgarian Energy Minister. Zhecho Stankov informed his counterpart about the government’s energy priorities, including the projects for constructing new nuclear reactors and Bulgaria’s interest in small modular reactor (SMR) technologies.

Doug Burgum, a former governor of North Dakota, expressed his satisfaction with the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Bulgarian Energy Holding  and the University of North Dakota, which provides for the development of targeted research programs to implement advanced technologies for processing rare earth elements.

LNG supplies from the United States were another topic discussed between Burgum and Stankov. At Bulgaria’s initiative, and in line with US perspectives for developing energy infrastructure, the possibility of aggregating LNG supplies for the entire region is being explored.

It was also announced that a dedicated roadshow will soon present projects for the construction of four new pumped-storage hydropower plants (PSHPPs) in Bulgaria. According to Minister Stankov, their implementation will seek public-private partnership  models.

In the Greek capital, Minister Stankov also held talks with the management of Synthos Green Energy, a Polish company specializing in the development and implementation of zero-emission energy technologies, renewable electricity generation, and small modular reactors (SMRs).

Minister Stankov informed his counterparts about Bulgaria’s interest in these technologies. “For the development of nuclear energy in the country, we are exploring opportunities to attract companies that develop small modular reactors. Together with my U.S. counterpart, Chris Wright, we signed a document that opens wide opportunities for cooperation in this field,” said Minister Stankov.

The representatives of Synthos Green Energy confirmed their interest in participating in future nuclear projects in Bulgaria.

During the ministerial meeting, Minister Stankov also proposed that Bulgaria host next year’s P-TEC forum, one of the largest energy events between Europe and the United States.

Minister Zhecho Stankov discussed key bilateral issues in the sector with the United States Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright during their meeting in Athens.

The two officials reviewed progress on strategic projects, including the Vertical Gas Corridor along the north-south axis from the Baltic Sea to the Aegean Sea, and the construction of Units 7 and 8 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant using Westinghouse’s AP1000 technology. Stankov briefed his counterpart on the discussions leading up to the signing of an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with a consortium between the American company Westinghouse and South Korea’s Hyundai. “We are aiming for an integrated solution for this key project that will ensure its successful implementation,” he emphasized.

Minister Stankov and Secretary Wright also discussed cooperation between Bulgaria and the US in the operation of nuclear facilities and the exploration of opportunities to introduce small modular reactors (SMRs) in Bulgaria. In September, the two signed a joint statement reaffirming the goals of the intergovernmental agreement between Bulgaria and the US to strengthen civil nuclear cooperation. Under that agreement, Bulgaria can draw on the expertise of American laboratories to conduct a preliminary feasibility study assessing the viability and suitability of potential sites for the accelerated deployment of SMRs in the country. Minister Stankov informed his counterpart of Bulgaria’s intention to invite companies that are at the forefront of developing these technologies to discuss potential projects in the country.

“We would like to make active use of American experience and build upon our decades-long track record in the safe operation of nuclear facilities. With small modular reactors, we have the opportunity to do so using the most advanced and modern technologies in the sector,” Stankov said.

Wright invited the Bulgarian Energy Minister to visit Washington by the end of the year to establish a joint expert group that would provide operational support for accelerating projects of mutual interest between the two countries, which will introduce new technologies and innovations in the energy sector.

Earlier in the day, Stankov held talks with representatives of the US Nuclear Energy Institute, where the development of nuclear energy in Bulgaria was again a central topic of discussion.

Stankov stressed: “Bulgaria has significant potential and the ambition to attract world-class companies to develop gigafactories and data centres.” He highlighted the need to direct investments towards technologies that ensure sustainability, stability, and flexibility of the Bulgarian energy system. Alongside SMRs, he identified energy storage projects as solutions capable of meeting these challenges.

Stankov also met with US financial institutions to discuss funding for key energy projects in Bulgaria. The Export–Import Bank of the United States (Exim Bank) reaffirmed its support for the construction of new nuclear capacities in Bulgaria and expressed interest in participating in the project. With the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the guest discussed the implementation of four new pumped-storage hydropower plants in Bulgaria and other future projects of regional significance.