A high-level Greek-Bulgarian Energy Meeting that was held in Sofia last week (14/10), helped forge closer links in the energy sector between the two countries. The aim of this highly focused meeting which was co-organized by host Energy Management Institute (EMI) of Bulgaria, and the Institute of Energy for Southeast Europe (IENE), was to explore possibilities for further expansion and strengthening of the already close cooperation between the two neighboring countries in the field of energy.
A high-level Greek-Bulgarian Energy Meeting that was held in Sofia last week (14/10), helped forge closer links in the energy sector between the two countries. The aim of this highly focused meeting which was co-organized by host Energy Management Institute (EMI) of Bulgaria, and the Institute of Energy for Southeast Europe (IENE), was to explore possibilities for further expansion and strengthening of the already close cooperation between the two neighboring countries in the field of energy.
This special ad hoc meeting was chaired by Mr. Slavtcho Neykov, Chairman of EMI, former Director of the Energy Community, as well as former Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy and Energy of Bulgaria. IENE was represented by the Chairman and Executive Director of IENE, Mr. Costis Stambolis, as well as the General Secretary of the IENE, Mr. Kostas Theofylaktos, who also chairs the Energy Efficiency Committee of the Institute.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Minister of Energy of Bulgaria, Ms. Iva Petrova and by the Ambassador of Greece to Bulgaria, HE Mr. Dimitris Chronopoulos, who was accompanied by senior officials of the Greek Embassy in Sofia. The Bulgarian side was also represented by Ms. Tanya Mihaylova, Director of the Diplomatic Institute and by senior officials of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Furthermore, the meeting was attended by high-ranking executives of Bulgarian and Greek energy companies based in Sofia, including executives from AES Bulgaria, Countlurglobal, Bulgartransgas, Overgas, EKO Bulgaria and Terna Energy.
The ad hoc meeting of EMI-IENE began with opening remarks by the Chairman of EMI Mr. Neykov and of the Deputy Minister of Energy of Bulgaria Mrs. Petrova, followed by a detailed presentation of the Chairman of IENE Mr. Costis Stambolis regarding the energy situation in Southeast Europe while the latest developments in Greece and Bulgaria were highlighted. A lively discussion ensued between the participants during which all of them agreed that significant opportunities for expanding the already established cooperation in the fields of gas, electricity and energy efficiency exist and should be examined, especially during this period of time that major changes are taking place in the structure and operation of regional energy markets.
The discussion focused on the anticipated operation of the Gas Trading Hub by EnEX in Greece within 2022, the further development of cross-border trade in electricity and gas between the two countries and the application of CCUS technologies in lignite power plants on both sides of the border. The next step, as decided by the meeting, is the convening by EMI/IENE of a Greek-Bulgarian Energy Forum in Sofia within 2022, aiming to expand further the Greek-Bulgarian cooperation in the energy sector.
