Decarbonization, energy security impossible without nuclear energy – Hristov

Bulgarian Minister of Energy Rosen Hristov said that decarbonization and energy security cannot be achieved without nuclear energy. Renewables and nuclear energy, in his words, are complementary, not competing technologies.

Bulgaria is one of the 10 European Union member states that supported France in the initiative to form a pro-nuclear bloc.

“The simultaneous achievement of full decarbonization and energy security is impossible without nuclear power,” Hristov said in Zagreb, Croatia, at the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy and Climate Cooperation (P-TECC) within the Three Seas Initiative, BTA reported.

Bulgaria has been operating a nuclear power plant for more than 40 years and intends to continue to utilize the technology. It plans to add nuclear facilities over the next 30 years.

Hristov highlighted regional cooperation as one of the main goals of his ministry

According to Hristov, the decision to continue using nuclear energy is based on the need to cover future consumption and achieve decarbonization targets and energy security.

Many countries import electricity from Bulgaria, the main exporter in its region, so the country must be responsible, Hristov said.

He expressed the opinion that nuclear energy and renewable energy are complementary, not competing technologies.

The minister stressed regional cooperation as one of the main goals of its ministry.

He noted that Bulgaria has invested in a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Greece and signed an agreement to use Turkey’s gas infrastructure. The moves enabled the country to receive LNG from producers from across the globe and deliver gas to neighboring countries.

The security of energy supply implies working at the regional level, not only at the national level, Hristov stressed.