Bulgartransgaz EAD, the Bulgarian gas transmission system operator, has joined the European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative, which includes over 20 European gas transmission system operators that are ENTSOG members.
Vladimir Malinov, Executive Director of Bulgartransgaz EAD, signed the agreement on behalf of the company.
The proposal, unveiled in July 2020, aims to develop a hydrogen grid model that combines current gas infrastructure with additional hydrogen pipelines. EHB’s efforts are coordinated with those of GIE (Gas Infrastructure Europe) and ENTSOG (European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas).
The initiative’s participants are collaborating on the development of a pan-European hydrogen transportation infrastructure with a 2040 target date.
The development of hydrogen infrastructure in Europe is viewed as critical to meeting the EU’s climate and energy goals, including carbon neutrality by 2050.
Bulgartransgaz EAD’s participation in EHB and collaboration with other operators in the process of planning hydrogen infrastructure would aid in the adoption of hydrogen technologies in Bulgaria and the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Bulgartransgaz EAD is currently developing three hydrogen-related projects:
Project for the transmission of hydrogen and low-carbon gaseous fuels in the East Maritsa region; Project concept for the transmission of pure hydrogen between the Sofia region and the Bulgarian-Greek border near Kulata (joint initiative with DESFA), allowing for future expansion into Romania and the East Maritsa region; Project concept for the assessment and subsequent adaptation of the existing gas transmission infrastructure to work with up to ten different types of gas.
These projects, on which Bulgartransgaz EAD is constructing hydrogen transmission infrastructure, have the potential to become part of future European hydrogen transmission corridors, including those included in the EHB plan.
We would like to remind you that Bulgartransgaz EAD joined the European Alliance for Pure Hydrogen in July 2021. The Alliance is comprised of businesses engaged in all aspects of the hydrogen supply chain (production, transmission, distribution, use, and equipment manufacturers), as well as scientific, research, and non-governmental organizations.
