Bulgarian Parliament Votes to Exempt Bulgartransgaz from Gazprom Fees
The National Assembly has enacted changes exempting "Bulgartransgaz" from collecting a new fee imposed on "Gazprom" for gas transit through the Turkish Stream pipeline
President Rosen Plevneliev called on the government to explain whether it intends to comply with EU legislation on the South Stream gas pipeline.
Plevneliev cast doubt on the sincerity of the promises Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski made to EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso at their meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.
"Prime Minister Oresharski assured [EU Commission] President Barroso that he will comply with European legislation. To me it is a secret how this is to happen, given that it was already announced who the executors [of the project] are," the President said.
He was referring to earlier revelation that the Bulgarian section of the South Stream pipeline is to be constructed by Stroytransgaz, where a firm owned by Gennady Timchenko, a sanctioned Russian businessman (and a close ally to Vladimir Putin), is the major shareholder. The announcement by Bulgarian officials was well known beforehand, but the information had never been made public.
Plevneliev's remarks follow comments by EC President Barroso that his institution is to take action against Bulgaria over non-observance of EU rules in the South Stream agreements.
Bulgaria has promised it will take all EU rules into consideration while preparation for the construction is under way.
In April, the Energy Act was amended by lawmakers by changing the status of the offshore section of South Stream preventing any "third-party" access to it. This contravenes Europe's Third Energy Package and is considered by EU officials to be favouring Russia's state-owned energy giant Gazprom.
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
The Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NRA) has greenlit the phased transition to a new type of nuclear fuel for Unit 5 of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), manufactured by Westinghouse
In a bid to enhance its energy security and diversify its gas supply sources, Bulgargaz is gearing up for the first deliveries of liquefied gas through the Alexandroupolis terminal, set to commence in May
The Greek national electricity company, PPC, has announced plans to acquire 500 megawatts of photovoltaic capacity in Bulgaria
Oil prices have surged due to renewed concerns about the Middle East conflict. Brent crude futures increased by 0.32% to 90.80 USD per barrel, while American WTI crude rose by 0.3% to 86.50 USD per barrel
Bulgaria's state-owned energy company, "Bulgargaz," has suffered a significant setback, losing 27% of its market share as a result of a contract with the Turkish company "Botas"
A remarkable shift in Bulgaria's energy landscape has been unveiled in the latest report from the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation, submitted to the Bulgarian parliament
UN Happiness Report: Bulgaria's Astonishing Leap in Rankings
Bulgaria: 3 Regions With Lowest Life Expectancy - EU Report 2022