"Overgas Networks" is considering options for supplies of gas mixed with hydrogen

The gas distribution company Overgaz Networks is considering options in which part of the fuel delivered to the end user is mixed with hydrogen. This was announced by the manager of "Contracts for the purchase of natural gas" at "Overgas Inc." Yulia Georgieva during the "Be Renewable: Energy Evolution 2023" forum. At the same time, she recalled that "hydrogen on a large scale is not yet fully economically viable."

"The material from which our gas distribution network is built allows the mixing of natural gas with hydrogen. At this stage, up to 20%," she noted. According to her, in the next 5 to 10 years, however, there will hardly be any large-scale projects regarding the supply of hydrogen. In this regard, the manager from "Overgas Networks" added that the gas transmission operators of Bulgaria and Greece ("Bulgartransgaz" and DESFA) have conducted market tests and are still studying their hydrogen transmission networks. "We are working hard, but I don't expect any development in the near future," Georgieva pointed out.

Commenting on the natural gas market, the manager of the gas distribution company did not fail to criticize the regulatory pricing. She reminded that the last word on the price of gas rests with the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation after a proposal from the public supplier. At the same time, this price applies both to the regulated market and to the unregulated one, she explained. According to her, this happens because "Bulgargaz" is, on the one hand, a public supplier, but on the other, it is a trader and supplier to end customers. From this point of view, the manager pointed out that in the amendments to the Law on Energy, in the part for electric energy, NEC is foreseen to drop out as a public supplier, but for the natural gas market, and for Bulgargaz in particular, there are no steps in this direction.

As for the price of blue fuel, Georgieva clearly stated that the price cannot be predicted, but with a very cold winter, price fluctuations on international exchanges can be expected.