site.btaGas Associations Call for Construction of Connecting Infrastructure to Settlements During Public Discussion

Gas associations called for the construction of connecting infrastructure to settlements during a public discussion with stakeholders—current or future users of the network—on the Ten-Year Network Development Plan of Bulgargaz EAD for the period 2025-2034. The discussion took place on Thursday at the building of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC). 

Maria Krusteva, the Executive Director of the Bulgarian Natural Gas Association, highlighted the development of cross-border transmission, diversification of sources, and the 20% increase in transmission volumes by Bulgargaz. However, she pointed out that the quantities of natural gas for the domestic market are significantly smaller than those transshipped across borders.

According to her, the company’s ten-year development plan for its networks foresees a 70% increase in consumers in the country by 2034. However, in order for this to be realized, several conditions must be met, one of which is the development of connecting infrastructure to settlements, so they can be linked to the national transmission system.

For another consecutive year, the development plan does not include an investment decision for the construction of a connecting gas pipeline to a new settlement, said Krusteva.

Nikola Delev, Director of the "Strategic Planning and Development" Directorate at Bulgargaz, disagreed with her statement and pointed out that in recent years, the company has built several internal transmission points. Bulgargaz is also committed to this infrastructure, he noted.

Plamen Pavlov, Chairman of the Bulgarian Gas Association, pointed out that Bulgargaz is actively working on the development of the gas transmission network, but not on the supply to the gas distribution networks in the country.