site.btaBulgartransgaz CEO Highlights Vertical Corridor's Role for Regional Security

Bulgartransgaz CEO Vladimir Malinov took part in the 22nd Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) Annual Conference in Athens, the Bulgarian natural gas transmission and storage system operator said on Thursday. "The investment in the development of the existing network to build the Vertical Corridor is an investment in the national security of the countries in the region," he stressed.

The Vertical Gas Corridor is a large-scale infrastructure project aimed at enhancing energy security and supply continuity, while providing access to diversified natural gas sources for Bulgaria and the South-East European region.

"The focused efforts of the gas transmission operators of South-Eastern Europe have yielded visible results and the Vertical Corridor has grown from an initiative into an infrastructure already under construction with a key role for our energy security," Malinov added. 

At the event, members of the GIE association, which brings together 62 operators of gas pipeline networks, storage facilities and LNG terminals in 28 countries, discussed the future of energy infrastructure and the role of natural gas in achieving a sustainable energy transition. The theme of the opening panel, which featured Malinov and GIE President Arno Bux, was energy security and strategic perspectives for Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean.

Malinov described the Vertical Corridor as an excellent example of a regional energy project with strategic importance for the security and competitiveness of South-Eastern Europe. Its construction will further develop connectivity between the gas transmission networks of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova and Ukraine. Its implementation will ensure facilitation of supplies from reliable partners, including increased LNG flows. He recalled that the two projects, part of the Vertical Corridor on Bulgarian territory, are already under implementation - to increase the gas transmission capacity between Greece and Bulgaria, and between Bulgaria and Romania. Malinov also stressed the need for gas operators to have more freedom in terms of decision-making in order to speed up and improve their actions.

Malinov also presented to the participants of the GIE Annual Conference the route product developed by the gas transmission operators of Greece, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine for the transmission of gas from Greece to Ukraine at a 25% discount. The monthly gas transportation product will be offered on a monthly basis for the period from June to October 2025. Its purpose is to allow Ukraine to secure a portion of the required gas volumes from a variety of sources, including the US and others for the upcoming winter season. 

The importance of cybersecurity for gas transmission operators was also raised. "Undoubtedly, the work on ensuring cybersecurity for our systems is a mandatory part of infrastructure stability. Sharing best practices in this area will allow gas operators to best enhance the security of their digital infrastructure," Malinov stressed.