Regional Energy Connectivity: Aligning National Priorities with European Cooperation

Introduction

Energy ministers and high-level officials from Bulgaria, Iran, Moldova, Hungary, the United Kingdom, and the European Commission recently gathered to discuss regional energy connectivity and cooperation in Southeast Europe. The panel, co-hosted by the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy, focused on aligning national energy priorities with broader European goals for market integration and grid connectivity.

Bulgaria's Strategic Role

Bulgarian Energy Minister Rumen Radev opened the discussion by highlighting Bulgaria's strategic position in regional energy connectivity:

• Bulgaria aims to increase its electricity transfer capacity with neighboring countries from the current 4.5 GW
• Plans to construct new pumped storage hydropower plants to help balance renewable energy across Southeast Europe
• Investing in two new nuclear units using Westinghouse AP1000 technology
• Focus on strengthening connectivity and solving bottlenecks both internally and with neighbors

Radev emphasized that regional cooperation makes countries stronger in addressing energy challenges compared to acting alone. He noted Bulgaria's goal is to remain a net electricity exporter while also serving as a "balancing monster" to support renewable energy integration across the region.

Iran's Perspective on Connectivity

The Iranian Deputy Energy Minister outlined Iran's priorities for regional energy connectivity:

• Facilitating a Black Sea-Caspian-Europe energy corridor to export 4 GW of green energy by 2030
• Developing offshore wind farms in the Caspian Sea
• Exploring a Central Asia-Iran corridor for 10-12 GW of additional capacity
• Discussing an Iran-Georgia-Turkey-Bulgaria corridor
• National target to increase renewable capacity by 30% by 2030
• Expanding grid integration studies to accommodate 2 GW of new capacity by 2027

The minister stressed the importance of aligning economic fundamentals with technical grid capabilities when planning cross-border projects. He noted Iran aims to optimize infrastructure costs and work closely with regional partners.

Moldova's Energy Security Priorities

Moldova's State Secretary for Energy highlighted the country's pressing energy security challenges as an import-dependent nation:

• Diversifying gas and electricity suppliers after decades of single-source dependence
• Leveraging new regional infrastructure like the Greece-Bulgaria gas interconnector
• Participating in the Vertical Gas Corridor initiative
• Preparing gas storage ahead of winter to enhance resilience
• Seeing potential in the "green corridor" from Iran to Europe via Romania/Hungary
• Pushing for greater electricity market coupling to reduce price differences

The official emphasized regional cooperation, solidarity and information sharing as key to strengthening Moldova's energy security. He noted gas remains an important transitional fuel to enable renewable integration.

Hungary's Grid Challenges and Investments

Hungary's State Secretary for Energy discussed the country's efforts to address grid bottlenecks and price differences with Western Europe:

• Expecting 40% increase in electricity demand by 2030 due to electrification and industrial growth
• Investing heavily in generation, grid infrastructure and energy storage
• Planning to reinforce interconnectors with Slovakia, Romania and Serbia
• Facing challenges in managing rapid swings between import/export due to variable renewables
• Investing in batteries and gas turbines to provide system flexibility
• Purchased stake in Iranian gas field to diversify supplies

The minister noted Hungary lacks pumped hydro potential, so is focusing on batteries and gas plants for flexibility. He emphasized the need for parallel investments in generation, grids and storage.

European Commission Perspective

The European Commission representative outlined EU priorities for regional energy integration:

• Continuing work through CESEC to harmonize regulations and identify priority infrastructure
• Shifting focus from fossil fuel subsidies to clean energy investments
• Developing an EU-wide grid action plan to accelerate permitting and digitalization
• Balancing centralized and distributed generation as the system evolves
• Launching an "affordable energy" action plan to address costs and competitiveness
• Supporting electrification while optimizing use of existing gas infrastructure

The official stressed the importance of avoiding stranded assets and ensuring new investments are forward-looking to support long-term decarbonization goals.

UK Experience with Regional Cooperation

The UK representative shared lessons from North Seas energy cooperation:

• Nine subsea electricity interconnectors now link UK to other countries
• Regulatory approval given for five new interconnectors, including offshore hybrids
• Ambitious target to decarbonize power grid by 2030
• Focus on domestic clean energy for security and economic benefits
• Reviving pumped hydro storage development after decades
• Keen to share technical lessons on grid, storage and interconnection

The UK official noted many common challenges across Europe in balancing grids with high renewable penetration.

Next Steps for Regional Connectivity

The Bulgarian minister outlined several priority actions to advance regional energy integration:

• Continued investment in transmission and distribution grids
• Negotiations to unlock EU funding for large-scale battery storage projects
• Accelerating construction of the Vertical Gas Corridor
• Further coupling of electricity and gas markets
• Involving financial institutions like EIB and EBRD to support strategic projects
• Developing Bulgaria's wind energy potential to complement solar
• Attracting investments in AI, gigafactories and gas plants for grid balancing

Role of Natural Gas

A poll of conference attendees showed mixed views on the future role of natural gas, with most expecting it to remain stable or decrease slightly. Key points raised by panelists:

• Gas will continue playing an important transitional and balancing role
• Structure of gas demand likely to shift from residential to industrial/power
• Technology diversification is crucial - gas remains part of the mix
• Gas infrastructure valuable for energy storage
• EU analysis shows gas role decreasing towards 2050 as other solutions emerge
• Need to consider biogas, biomethane and hydrogen in future gas mix

Balancing Decarbonization with Affordability

A final poll showed most attendees favor balancing decarbonization with economic competitiveness and affordability, rather than accelerating the energy transition at all costs. This aligns with the emphasis throughout the discussion on ensuring energy security and economic development alongside clean energy goals.

The panel highlighted the complex challenges of aligning diverse national priorities with broader European energy integration. While countries have distinct resources and needs, there was clear consensus on the value of regional cooperation in enhancing energy security, enabling the energy transition, and optimizing infrastructure investments. Continued dialogue and coordination will be essential to advance connectivity and market integration across Southeast Europe in the coming years.

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