The southern gas corridor is at the heart of diversification not only for Bulgaria but also for the whole of Europe, Energy Minister Temenujka Petkova told Darik. The role of Bulgaria is key via the connector with Greece, because new gas supplies will be provided from the Caspian region, she explained.

This will give a new look and will diversify the sources of natural gas for our country, Minister Petkova said.

The connector with Greece must be ready in 2020 and put into operation, the energy minister announced.

The Greece - Bulgaria Interconnector is important for both our country and Europe, and we have negotiated 1 billion cubic meters of gas from the Caspian region, Temenujka Petkova said.

17 billion gas passes through our country from Russia to different countries, of which 14 billion are for Turkey. Following the construction of the direct link between Russia and Turkey, Ankara will receive gas directly from Russia, she described the situation at the moment.

We want Bulgaria to maintain its strategic position on Europe's gas map according to European directives, she commented.

BGN 360 million have been paid for greenhouse gas emissions for this year to operate the Maritsa East 2 TPP.

The EC has not said that such kind of plants should be closed. With regard to coal-fired power stations - the EC wants to reduce their share, Minister Petkova said. The problem is the price increase for greenhouse gas emissions, at this stage the price is 21 euros per ton, and only a year ago it was 8 euros per ton.

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