site.btaAmCham Bulgaria Advocates for Energy Diversification and Responsible Energy Transition in This Country

Opportunities to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States to Bulgaria, Central and Eastern Europe, the diversification of nuclear fuel supplies and the decarbonization of Bulgaria's electricity system featured high on the agenda of a recent visit by a Bulgarian government delegation to the US, the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria (AmCham Bulgaria) reported on Friday.

The delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister for EU Funds and Minister of Finance Asen Vassilev and Minister of Energy Alexander Nikolov, paid a working visit to Washington on February 14. It included senior executives of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, Bulgargaz and Bulgartransgaz.

The above-listed matters were discussed at a business luncheon organized by the US Chamber of Commerce and AmCham Bulgaria.

The event was also attended by Bulgarian Ambassador to the US Tihomir Stoichev, US Ambassador to Bulgaria Herro Mustafa and representatives of eight US companies active mainly in the energy sector. On behalf of the hosts, the group were welcomed by Dan Byers, Vice President for Climate and Technology Policy at the US Chamber of Commerce.

AmCham Bulgaria reported that during the luncheon the visiting delegation discussed opportunities for collaboration with world-class US companies and the role that modern nuclear technologies and natural gas can play in Bulgaria's energy transition including through diversification of the nuclear fuel supply and LNG imports from the United States to Europe. LNG shipments from the US increased since late 2021 and early 2022, AmCham Bulgaria noted. Bulgaria can diversity its energy supplies and increase its energy independence by completing the Greece-Bulgaria natural gas interconnector project as per the updated plan, investing in the development of the Gas Terminal in Alexandroupolis and upgrading its gas network leveraging its geostrategic location for gas transit, the press release suggested.

AmCham Bulgaria presented its Energy Industry Decarbonization Study.

The organization pointed out the importance of the transatlantic economy and the strong relationship between the US and Bulgaria. It said its own priorities include energy, healthcare, defence, digitization and Innovation.