Güney Akım Projesi Çerçevesinde Bulgaristan Enerji Politikasının Analizi
ANALYZING THE ENERGY POLICY OF BULGARIA IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE SOUTH STREAM PROJECT

Summary/Abstract: Although Bulgaria is not energy-rich country, she has geopolitical significance since she locates in one of the most important energy transfer route in the ongoing global energy resources competition. Bulgaria is at the intersection point of Russia that has the largest natural gas reserves in the world, and one of the most important natural gas supplier to Europe; the Middle East that has a decisive role in the natural gas market, and the Caspian region that has gained importance with its natural gas reserves after 1990s, and Europe, the second oil and natural gas consumer in the world. This intersection makes Bulgaria significant for oil and natural gas pipeline diplomacy. Security of oil supply is important for Bulgaria since the country is largely energy-importer, especially from Russia. Therefore, Bulgaria prioritize diversifying energy resources and transmission lines policies in 2000s. In this sense, considering energy needs of the European Union (EU) countries and itself, Bulgaria have both tried to decrease its energy dependency on Russia, and to establish different routes to secure energy coming from Russia. The South Stream Project is quite important since it is an alternative route to secure natural gas supply from Russia. However, the Project causes discontent because it is opposite to the law of the EU, and increases energy dependency on Russia. Even the project was suspended in 2014, at present there are ongoing discussions regarding the project which makes analyzing it more important.

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