We already have Act 16 for the compressors, which expand the possibility of expansion in "Chiren" by 20%. This was stated in the program "The Day Begins" on BNT by the Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov. He explained that the contract for the expansion was signed during the PP-DB.
"The good news is that one of the stages related to the expansion, namely the ground infrastructure - new compressors, has already been installed. This gives us a chance to pump cheap quantities of gas for households, which will reach them at normal prices in the winter. In other words, we already have Act 16 for the compressors, which provide the possibility of expansion in "Chiren" by 20%“, commented the Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov.
The Minister refuted the allegations that one of the most important installations in the energy system – unit 2 of “Chiren“ is not working.
He explained that with all the steps to expand “Chiren“ its capacity will increase from 550 billion cubic meters to 1,000 billion, which guarantees the country's energy security.
On the case of “Bulgartansgaz“, the Minister categorically stated that he would cooperate with the investigation.
“I respect the separation of powers. I will ensure that all information is provided to the judicial authorities so that they can have the whole picture and make the right decision. On the other hand, the loud raising of the topic is perhaps more aimed at covering up what my colleagues from the PP have been doing for 4 years in the energy sector, where they drained 5.4 billion leva from it for whatever reason without being able to give an explanation. Currently, my task is to stabilize the sector, to be able to launch key projects such as a vertical gas corridor, to launch units 7 and 8 of the Kozloduy NPP, and to build new combined cycle power plants, said Zhecho Stankov.
When asked whether it is against the law for former Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov to head Bulgartransgaz, Stankov explained:
“The Ministry of Energy is committed to implementing the laws, not interpreting them. In this regard, the Anti-Corruption Commission is the competent authority. At the moment we have no information from there that we have problems“, commented the Minister of Energy.
According to him, the Minister of Energy has no right to interfere in the operational work of the company's management.
The Minister also explained that work is underway to launch a vertical gas corridor.
“We are taking steps to launch a vertical gas corridor, which guarantees us, together with Greece, Romania, Ukraine, Moldova, Hungary, that we will have a new gas route, which will give us the opportunity to increase the capacity of the Bulgarian-Greek border by 50% and the capacity of the Bulgarian-Romanian border by 100%. Bulgaria will strengthen its position as an indispensable factor in the transit of both gas and electricity. Bulgaria is and will be an energy exporter with projects such as block 7 and block 8 of the Kozloduy NPP, on which we are working hard, the minister said.
All steps to expand Chiren are to increase its capacity from 550 billion cubic meters to 1,000 billion, which guarantees the country's energy security.
Energy is the main problem, we cannot achieve 2, 3 or 4 payments under the PVP, funds that should reach Bulgarian citizens and businesses.