Officials in Bulgaria said that the country’s Chiren underground gas storage facility has reached 100 per cent of its technical capacity, fulfilling the EU regulation requirement for member states to reach at least 90 per cent capacity by 1 November each year.
This is the second consecutive year Bulgaria has achieved this target ahead of schedule, the national transit and storage operator said, in accordance with European Regulation 2017/1938, which aims to ensure secure gas supplies across the EU.
Chiren, Bulgaria’s sole underground gas storage site, is critical for the energy security of both Bulgaria and the broader South-Eastern European region. With storage now at maximum capacity, officials said that the facility will play a key role in securing a stable natural gas supply throughout the upcoming heating season.
Currently, 12 companies (seven Bulgarian and five international) are storing natural gas at Chiren, underscoring the facility’s regional importance. Bulgaria’s gas transmission operator said it continues to implement necessary measures in preparation for the autumn-winter period, supporting uninterrupted energy supplies and ensuring the country’s energy resilience.