The gas transmission operators will have an important role in the development of the hydrogen market in Europe. The use of the well-developed gas transmission network will scale back the costs of deploying the hydrogen until we can reach its mass production and use. This was the issue that united the Executive Director of Bulgartransgaz EAD, Vladimir Malinov, and the Business Development and Diversification Director of the Spanish operator Enagas, Fernando Impuesto. The two discussed the possibilities of cooperation between the companies in the field of hydrogen and liquefied natural gas. Enagas has more than 50 years of experience in the development, operation and maintenance of energy infrastructure. The company is active in eight countries and rums more than 12.000 km of gas pipelines, 8 liquefied natural gas terminals and three gas storage facilities.
Malinov presented to his colleague the pilot project for the production and use of green hydrogen for technological needs in Chiren UGS. Partners of the Bulgarian gas transmission operator under this project are the US companies Solar Turbines Inc. and Honeywell, as well as the Italian firm Pietro Fiorentini. „Together with the colleagues from DESFA we develop future hydrogen infrastructures, including 250 km of hydrogen pipeline from Thessaloniki to Sofia which is to be the core of a transport corridor from Greece and Bulgaria to Central Europe. We expect it to be confirmed as a project of common interest by the EC“, Malinov said at the meeting. „I would be happy to exchange experience and expertise with Enagas in the development of the hydrogen technologies and the establishment of a hydrogen market“, he emphasized.
The role of the liquefied natural gas in guaranteeing energy supplies to Europe was also debated at the meeting. In the words of Impuesto, the operator Enagas would wish to expand its activity in the region of South East Europe. "Over the next 5-10 years, the natural gas consumption in the region will increase significantly with the transition to a low-carbon economy. In this context, Bulgartransgaz EAD continues to develop its network to guarantee the opportunity to transport additional natural gas quantities from South to North. A Memorandum of Cooperation will be signed between the gas transmission operators of Bulgaria and Spain.