The future of the digital industry and the strategic role of secure, long-term and emission-free energy for the construction of gigafactories for artificial intelligence and data centers were in focus in the talks of the Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov with leading representatives of Meta, the Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA) and IP3 Corporation. The meetings took place in Washington as part of a working visit to the US. The Bulgarian Energy Minister emphasized the competitive advantages of the territory around the Kozloduy NPP, including physical proximity to the energy source, the existing excellent optical connectivity and the availability of water resources from the Danube River for cooling.
“Such projects require uninterrupted supply of a large amount of stable, secure and affordable energy, such as nuclear energy. Our country, already an established producer and net exporter of energy, has the ambition to use this energy as a basis for sustainable economic growth, quality employment and development of high-tech industries“, pointed out Minister Stankov.
With Daria Kosic - Manager “Energy Strategies“ at Meta, CEBA CEO Rich Powell and Michael Hewitt - CEO of IP3 Corporation, the Energy Minister discussed the implementation of potential projects that fit into the common vision of creating high-tech industrial zones based on stable and clean energy. In view of the complexity, the organization of a specialized investment exhibition aimed at companies operating in the digital economy was also discussed.
The topic of diversification and sustainable LNG supplies was central to Minister Stankov's meeting with Carolyn Eliassen, Vice President of Government Affairs at one of the leading energy companies Phillips 66. Long-term supply scenarios, infrastructure requirements and potential models for strengthening transatlantic energy cooperation were discussed.
Minister Stankov and the delegation he led also took part in a round table organized by the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) and dedicated to the topic “Critical Energy Infrastructure in Bulgaria: Aligning Policy, Financing and Technology“. The discussion highlighted the need for strategic dialogue between the public sector, financial institutions and technology companies to achieve synergy in the implementation of investments with long-term added value. Bulgaria's potential to establish itself as a regional energy and technology center was presented.