Bulgaria readies talks with Turkey on gas terms as it weighs coal policy and nuclear expansion

Bulgaria is preparing a fresh round of gas cooperation negotiations with Turkey, seeking to adjust the terms of its existing agreement with the Turkish pipeline operator. The move underscores how energy contract details remain a live issue for regional supply planning, even as Sofia simultaneously manages broader policy pressures across power generation and household affordability.

Proposal submitted ahead of bilateral negotiations

Caretaker Energy Minister Traicho Traikov said Bulgaria has already submitted a formal proposal to the Turkish side. He attributed the step to internal coordination within the ministry and among state-owned energy companies, before setting out the Bulgarian position in a detailed memorandum.

Officials described the memorandum as technically complex and designed to protect national energy interests. They expect it to provide the foundation for upcoming bilateral discussions on how gas cooperation should be structured going forward.

Fuel-price pressure drives EU-aligned support

Alongside gas talks, Traikov said the government is focused on mitigating the impact of rising fuel prices. He pointed out that Bulgaria acted early within the European Union by introducing a package of measures intended to cushion households and limit inflationary pressures.

While global price trends are outside national control, Traikov emphasized that targeted and temporary interventions have helped protect vulnerable consumers and have been recognized at EU level.

Coal reassessment alongside system-stability needs

The minister also linked energy negotiations to wider debates about Europe’s generation mix. Bulgaria, he said, is among countries advocating a reassessment of coal’s role in Europe’s energy mix—particularly in light of external shocks.

Traikov argued that maintaining domestic generation capacity remains essential for system stability and energy security, especially when other power systems face constraints.

Nuclear expansion at Kozloduy remains central

At the same time, Bulgaria continues to treat nuclear expansion at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant as a long-term strategic priority. The planned new units are positioned by authorities as a key component of Bulgaria’s future energy system.

Officials also aim to improve execution by avoiding delays and cost overruns that have affected similar large-scale infrastructure projects in the past—an effort that could shape investor confidence in how major capacity additions are delivered.

Taken together, Bulgaria’s preparations for revised gas talks with Turkey reflect an immediate focus on contractual terms while policy makers balance near-term affordability concerns with longer-horizon decisions on generation capacity across coal and nuclear power.