site.btaEnergy Minister: First Stage of Chiren Gas Storage Facility Completed - Volume Increased by 100 Mln m3

The first stage of the project to expand the Chiren gas storage facility has been completed, said Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov during Question Time in the relevant parliamentary committee on Wednesday in response to a question from Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria MP Krasimira Petkova.

Stankov said that the expansion is expected to increase the storage capacity from 550 million cubic meters to 1 billion cubic meters of gas. It will be carried out in three stages – one above ground and two underground, with the above-ground stage involving the installation of new gas compressors to increase the ability for pumping gas and increase capacity by about 20%. Stankov added that this part has already been completed, the compressors are in operation, and during the current autumn-winter period, market participants, including Bulgargaz, can count on a volume of 650 million cubic meters – 100 million cubic meters more than before.

The Minister noted that the main purpose of the gas storage facility is to store gas during the summer when prices are lower, so that it can be supplied to domestic and non-domestic consumers at a more affordable price during the winter, while at the same time providing greater energy security for the country. He added that the expansion of the Chiren gas storage facility is a project of pan-European importance, which plays a key role for both Bulgaria and its neighboring countries.