Minister Radev: Southeastern Europe has the potential to produce and transfer green hydrogen to Western Europe

The diversification of energy supplies, the development of the hydrogen economy and renewable energy sources, as well as the opportunities for deepening cooperation in the field of energy between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Federal Republic of Germany were among the main topics of the conversation of the Minister of Energy Rumen Radev with the Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of economic issues and climate action Robert Habeck. On the Bulgarian side, Deputy Minister Iva Petrova and Chief of Staff Karina Angelieva also participated in the meeting held in Berlin. This was announced by the Ministry of Energy today.

Minister Habeck presented the current situation related to Germany's energy system in the context of the green transition, as well as Germany's plans in the field of hydrogen. He expressed satisfaction with the achieved high level of security of gas supplies in Bulgaria.

Minister Radev emphasized the need to develop a comprehensive and sustainable energy strategy and noted the efforts and achievements of our country to increase regional connectivity in the field of electricity and natural gas, including the recently signed declaration between Bulgaria, Greece and Romania.

Minister Radev drew attention to the potential of Bulgaria and Southeast Europe for the production and transfer of green hydrogen to Western Europe. The possibilities of using European funding for the necessary infrastructure were noted, as well as the need to attract private investors. The two ministers agreed that the timely planning of the development of hydrogen infrastructure, specifically in the region of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the establishment of a common approach in the field of the development of a hydrogen economy in the EU countries, is of key importance. Ministers Radev and Habeck agreed to create a working group with the participation of EU stakeholders, as well as to involve Ukraine, to determine the parameters of the future European hydrogen transmission infrastructure.

During the meeting, issues related to the activities of German companies in Bulgaria were also discussed, as well as the possibility of signing a memorandum of understanding between the two countries in the energy sphere.