Gas and power across borders: Bulgaria bets on Vertical Gas Corridor and Balkan grids
Energy Minister Iva Petrova promotes regional pipeline and grid projects in Sofia – from the Vertical Gas Corridor to green energy routes from the Caspian to Europe.
Symbolic image · Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Bulgaria wants to strengthen its role in the European energy system through regional infrastructure projects. Energy Minister Iva Petrova said this on Tuesday at the Global Innovation Summit 2026 in Sofia, the BTA news agency reported, citing her ministry. Petrova highlighted the Vertical Gas Corridor, the East-West energy corridor and the North-South Balkan electricity corridor, as well as the development of green energy routes from the Caspian region to Europe. In her words, these projects expand opportunities for connectivity, diversification and cooperation between markets.
Besides Petrova, the speakers included Kiril Ravnachki, head of gas grid operator Bulgartransgaz, and Deputy Economy Minister Krasimir Yakimov. The officials' shared message was that cooperation with countries in the region and better infrastructure connectivity are crucial for Bulgaria's development and security. The summit's theme was "Powering Competitiveness: Energy, Infrastructure and Digital Innovation for Economic Transformation". It was organised by Glavbolgarstroy Holding together with the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils.