How will we replace Russian gas and is 'Bulgargaz' an unreliable partner?

The experts Elenco Bozhkov and Prof. Valentin Kolev made a detailed analysis in "Denyat ON AIR": "If we do not go for renegotiation and do not look for opportunities to renew contracts with Gazprom, our decisions are not easy at all. It will become more and more difficult, scandals will follow one after another, but they will not help us avoid
price increases and perhaps a serious deficit. The government's Plan B does not provide solutions," stated the energy expert Elenco Bozhkov on Bulgaria ON AIR. "To be able to replace this gas from Gazprom - 2 billion, and keep 1 billion from the Azerbaijanis, this means about 25 such tankers, like the one from Trinidad and Tobago. 2-
3 years of tanker deliveries are needed, and that is our gas for one year. The price increase of gas will be between 30 and 50%," he added, noting that the price difference will be paid by taxpayers and businesses. According to Bozhkov, if the business says it will protest, and especially if it goes out to protest, the government wavers with a tendency to fall. "We should not look to GERB as saviors with hope. They are the main culprits for the current situation - they are extremely guilty for the connection with Komotini. The appointments and the entire construction. Then - the formula by which the price of natural gas was calculated so far," the expert pointed out. According to the dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at TU-Sofia, Prof. Valentin Kolev, it is obvious that Gazprom cannot be considered a reliable partner and we must look for alternatives - Azerbaijani gas, liquefied gas, Europe. "For me, it is not yet clear whether the new authorities want to make a shady deal or not. Importing a structurally defining energy raw material through an offshore company is incredible. If Russia has unilaterally violated the contract, I define Gazprom as an unreliable partner for ensuring the energy balance of our country. I see nothing wrong with the authorities seeking ways to compensate," he commented on "Denyat ON AIR". According to him, it should be decided which specific productions should be supported. "It is true that the price is important, but more important is to have gas. What is happening in energy cannot but affect the political situation in the country, but still we should be in a more waiting position and give these authorities a chance. They have a huge desire to get some work done. It would be good if they trusted proven experts, rather than appointing people to learn the profession of an energy specialist," emphasized Prof. Kolev. "Everything within the state's power was given to build the Balkan Stream, and at the same time the reverse link was left in the background. If it had been
built, we would now have more opportunities for Azerbaijani gas," he claims.