Two Bulgarian Projects to be Allocated Funding Under Connecting Europe Facility

Two Bulgarian energy projects will be allocated financing under the EU's Connecting Europe Facility funding programme for infrastructure.

Last week, the EU countries agreed on a proposal of the European Commission to invest EUR 217 M in fifteen key trans-European energy infrastructure projects mainly in Central and Eastern Europe.

Nine of the projects are in the gas sector and will be allocated EUR 207 M, while the other six which are in the electricity sector will receive EUR 10 M.

Thirteen of the projects relate to studies and will be awarded EUR 29 M, while the remaining EUR 188 M will be allocated to two construction projects.

The selected projects are expected to increase energy security and contribute to ending the isolation of EU member states from EU-wide energy networks.

The projects will also contribute to completing the European energy market and the integration of renewable sources of energy into the electricity grid.

Bulgaria will be allocated funding for conducting modernisation studies on its gas transmission network, which is aimed at improving possibilities for gas transport in the region, with neighbouring Greece, Romania, Macedonia and Turkey expected to also benefit.

The interconnector linking gas networks in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria will also be allocated funding.

This project is of vital importance as it will allow gas from the Caspian region and other potential sources, including LNG, to reach Central Europe.

Another recipient will be the Midcat project which will help eliminate infrastructure bottlenecks between the Iberian peninsula and France and connect gas supplies from Algeria and Spanish LNG terminals with the rest of Europe.

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