The Minister of Environment and Energy, Costas Skrekasparticipated today, Thursday 5 May, in Sofia, Bulgariain a wide regional Ministerial meeting with the representatives eight governments and the European Commissionfor energy security, diversification of sources and routes of energy supply and green transition.
Mr. Skrekas referred to the importance of the EU energy supply platform. and the establishment of the first regional task force, which will strengthen the EU’s energy autonomy. and efforts to break free from Russian gas.
Also, the Minister of Environment and Energy presented the integrated plan of the Government for ensuring adequate supplyin case of power failure gas supply from Russia. The plan includes the addition of a new floating tank at the LNG station in Revythousa, the completion of the liquefied natural gas gasification unit in Alexandroupolis by the end of 2023 and the start of commercial operation of the Greek-Bulgarian IGB pipeline within the summer.
In addition, as announced by the Minister of Environment and Energy, the DEPA Commerce and Bulgargaz agree to launch joint gas purchases, strengthening their bargaining power and making the best use of gas infrastructure. Mr. Skrekas referred to the establishment of a task force Greece – Bulgaria to monitor and coordinate actions in the field of energy. He also announced the acceleration of the construction of the second electricity interconnection with Bulgaria.
The meeting stressed the importance of electricity interconnections for enhancing energy security in the wider region of South East Europe and the crucial contribution of new RES projects in accelerating green transition.
Mr. Skrekas presented the new gas trading platform of the Hellenic Energy Exchange, pointing out that it is an important step for the unification of energy markets, the enhancement of trade transparency and the hedging of risks, from the intense volatility of prices.
The Greek Minister was accompanied by the Secretary General of Energy and Mineral Raw Materials, Alexandra Sdoukou, the CEO of DEPA Commerce, Costas Xifaras, the CEO of DESFA, Maria Rita Galli, the CEO and the Chief Executive Officer IPTO Relations, Giannis Kampouris.
The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Kiril Petkov, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Assen Vassilev, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Serbia, Zorana Mihajlović, the Director General of European Energy, Julieton the Minister of Energy of Bulgaria, Alexander Nikolov, the Minister of Energy of Romania, Virgil Daniel Popescu, the Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan, Parviz Shahbazov, the Minister of Energy of Ukraine, Herman Halushchenko, the Minister of Economy of the North, Bekteshi and the Deputy Minister of Energy of Turkey, Alparsan Bayraktar.
The Minister of Environment and Energy, Costas Skrekas, stated: “Greece is emerging as a pillar of energy security for the whole of Southeastern Europe. With a comprehensive plan, we triple the country’s LNG storage capacity, double electricity and gas interconnections and maximize the penetration of Renewable Energy Sources. We are deepening regional cooperation, implementing strategic infrastructure that will offer alternative sources of energy supply, at a critical juncture. The FSRU floating station in Alexandroupolis will significantly reduce the dependence of the countries of the wider region on Russian gas, releasing a significant export potential from Greece to the Balkans. We are also actively promoting electricity interconnections, strengthening national energy security and shielding our country from imported energy crises. “It is imperative that we further strengthen our cooperation with the countries of the wider region of South East Europe, in order to achieve the goal of our energy autonomy and competitiveness.”
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