Bulgaria sees Azerbaijan as Balkans' Main Gas Supplier

Bulgaria considers Azerbaijan as the main supplier of gas to the Bulgarian hub, the country's deputy energy minister Zhecho Stankov said 29 September at the fourth meeting of the Azerbaijani-Bulgarian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation in Baku.

"Taking into account the strategic partnership between our two countries, Bulgaria considers Azerbaijan as the main source of gas for the hub of the Balkans," said Stankov.

According to him, the parties are considering various fields of energy cooperation, including the supply of Azerbaijani gas to Bulgaria as part of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) and the joint supply of Azerbaijani gas through Bulgaria to third countries.

The route of the planned TAP line

"In addition, there is the exchange of experiences in connection with the liberalisation of the Bulgarian power system and research opportunities in electricity exchange between the two countries after the establishment of the corridor Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey-Europe,” said Stankov.

The cost of building the gas distribution centre is €1.2-2bn, depending on the version of the business model. The final price will be known after the construction of the hub, no earlier than 2017, because only by that time the business model will be chosen and the initial studies conducted.

Azerbaijan is preparing to deliver 10bn m³/yr gas to Greece, Albania and Italy by 2021 through Southern Gas Corridor as well.The TransAdriatic Pipeline is a part of the SGC.

Azerbaijan desk