18.10.2023
Bulgartransgaz does not face a threat of bankruptcy. This version is unfounded. The tax that was imposed a couple of days ago on the importation and transportation of Russian gas via Bulgaria is due to be paid by Gazprom and not by the countries that get it for their use or by Bulgartransgaz. This was commented by Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov to respond to concerns that a change in the legislation might have a negative impact on the financial performance of the gas transmission company.
Bulgaria has sound reasons for the imposition of a tax of BGN 20 on one megawatt hour. “On the one hand, we protect the Bulgarian interest as this could be revenue to the budget. On the other hand, there exists a good opportunity to generate thus real competition between pipeline natural gas and liquefied natural gas and that would be of benefit to all Europe,” the Prime Minister explained. He noted again that currently nothing requires the use of Russian gas given the development of the gas pipeline network and the interconnectors.
Documents concerning the new tax have been sent to the European Commission; talks with officials from the other European countries are on the agenda. It is possible that they open even next week at the meeting of the European Council in Brussels.
“What we do, we do it for the benefit of the Bulgarian citizens, the Bulgarian economy and Bulgaria’s national security,” the Prime Minister concluded.
