Four countries to launch Southeast Europe power corridor – Bulgaria

Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Georgia, and Bulgaria have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a new electricity corridor linking the Caspian region with Southeast Europe, Bulgaria’s Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov said on Thursday.

Speaking on the sidelines of ministerial meetings in Baku under the Southern Gas Corridor and Green Energy Advisory Councils, Stankov said the corridor would enable the delivery of green electricity to Bulgaria, as well as to Romania and Hungary.

“This builds on our long-term gas agreement with Azerbaijan for 1 billion cubic metres annually. Now we are expanding that cooperation to electricity,” he said.

Stankov added that Bulgaria aims to benefit from both more affordable natural gas and renewable energy — particularly wind and solar — generated in the region.

The minister also commented on the separate Black Sea submarine cable project signed by Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary, calling it complementary to the new corridor and confirming Bulgaria’s interest in joining.

“Although Bulgaria is not yet a signatory, we have expressed our intention to join. The project holds great promise, though it will require an environmental impact assessment in line with EU regulations,” he said.

Stankov emphasized the importance of the project for improving energy access and lowering prices in the region.

“The cable could supply up to 10 GW of electricity to the European market. Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania have already written to the European Commissioner, highlighting the impact of high electricity prices caused by limited integration with Central and Western Europe,” he said.

N.Tebrizli