Energy Minister Stankov: Accelerating key infrastructure projects is among our top priorities

The acceleration of key infrastructure projects in the country is among the main priorities of the government, said the Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov during an official inspection of the progress in the construction of the Vertical Gas Corridor. The inspection was also attended by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, the Foreign Ministers of Hungary and the Environment and Energy of Greece, as well as other officials.

The Vertical Gas Corridor project aims to guarantee the security and continuity of energy supplies, providing access to diversified natural gas sources for Bulgaria and the Southeast Europe region. Its implementation will allow the transmission of increasing natural gas flows from south to north - from Greece through Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova, with the possibility of reaching Ukraine.

Minister Stankov stressed that the fact that the project is supported by seven countries is crucial for its successful implementation. The construction of the Bulgarian part is divided into three parts - a loop from Kulata to Kresna, a gas pipeline from Piperevo to Pernik and a loop from Rupcha to Vetrino. This will increase the capacity for gas transmission from Greece to Bulgaria and from Bulgaria to Romania.

According to Minister Stankov, the additional revenues that Bulgaria will receive from the operation of the facility will be deposited in the state budget and will benefit the whole society. He stressed that leading Bulgarian and international companies are involved in the construction of the corridor, creating added value in the country and opportunities for development and technology transfer.

Prior to the on-site inspection, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and Ministers Stankov, Szijjártó and Papastravrou reviewed the project's progress from the air. During the visit, it became clear that the first 15 km of pipes from the 48-kilometer route between Kulata and Kresna have already been laid and welded, with almost the entire section cleared and prepared.

Minister Stankov stressed that better energy connectivity between countries is key to ensuring diverse supplies from reliable sources, which plays a leading role in the living standards of the population and the competitiveness of the economy.