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Molecules – The Eurogas Newsletter (January 2022)

Editorial: Bronagh O’Hagan

Dear readers,

Welcome to the first edition of Molecules in 2022. I hope you all enjoyed a restful break and are ready to go for the eventful year ahead.

We’re delighted to introduce two new members this month. Paolo Gallo, the CEO of Italgas, outlines the important role DSOs play in the energy transition, and explains why now is the time to join our association.

Glavbolgarstroy (GBS) is a leading construction company from Bulgaria, with a specialism in gas projects. The group has over fifty years of experience and has led landmark projects across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Below you can find out more about their activities and most recent projects.

Looking ahead, our Annual Conference is scheduled for 17th March 2022 – making an extra special day for the Irish in the gas sector. We’ll discuss the future of gas in different sectors, with keynote addresses from the EU Energy Commissioner, Kadri Simpson, and Eurogas President, Didier Holleaux. Register here to attend in person or online.

As always, thanks for reading. Best wishes on behalf of the Eurogas team,

Bronagh O’Hagan,
Communications Director, Eurogas


GBS: Turning to the future

Glavbolgarstroy International AD is part of the Glavbolgarstroy (GBS) corporate group. GBS is the largest construction holding in Bulgaria and one of the leading construction companies in the region of South-Eastern Europe (SEE). It is among the 30 biggest holding structures in the country, possessing a considerable market share on the Bulgarian construction market.

The group has 50+ years of extensive experience and a number of successfully implemented landmark projects in Europe, Central & North Asia and the Middle East.

We specialise mainly in infrastructure construction (energy, transport, water, etc.), as well as in the realisation of industrial, commercial and residential projects. We are the prime contractor for a number of large-scale gas infrastructure projects in Bulgaria and Eastern Europe.

During its years of existence, GBS was present via Representative Offices in various countries in Europe, the Middle-East and Asia, including: Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Morocco, Russia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Today, Glavbolgarstroy has more than 10 daughter subsidiaries in Bulgaria, the Russian Federation and Belgium.In the year 2019, as a future-oriented entity focusing on sustainable projects and strong partnerships, we opened a Liaison office in Brussels. Our Representation in the capital of Europe seeks to ensure an additional communication channel with a wider group of stakeholders at the EU level and to provide access to new ideas, sustainable solutions, modern approaches and innovative technologies for the construction industry.

We are a member of several international and European associations, among which: the European Construction Technology Platform (ECTP), the International Association of Ground and Offshore Pipeline Entrepreneurs (IPLOCA), the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance and others. At the EU level, we cooperate as well with the European Federation of the Construction Industry – FIEC, Build Europe, AmCham EU, the “Renovate Europe” campaign, etc.

We possess great expertise and long-term experience in the realisation of energy sites. GBS is the Southeast European leader in building and rehabilitation of gas compressor stations (CSs), as well as in the construction of linear gas pipeline infrastructure and underground gas & oil storage. In cooperation with the US companies Solar Turbines (Caterpillar), Honeywell, Emerson, etc., the company was engaged as a prime contractor in the realisation of a number of strategic gas projects with significant South-eastern European regional importance, involving: modernisation of a number of gas compressor stations in Bulgaria; construction and commissioning of new compressor stations; building of gas transmission pipelines, gas metering stations, etc.

Recent project in the gas sector: Project: Modernisation of Ihtiman, Lozenets & Petrich Compressor Stations – Stage 2
Contracting Authority: Bulgartransgaz EAD – the Bulgarian Gas Transmission Operator
Location: Bulgaria
Period of Implementation: March 2019 – August 2021
Glavbolgarstroy’s Role in the Project: Prime contractor
Nature of Works: The Stage 2 of modernisation of the compressor stations includes the integration of a total of 4 low-emission gas turbine compressor units at Ihtiman, Petrich and Lozenets CSs. The US company Solar Turbines is involved in the implementation of the project as a manufacturer and supplier of the units.

Kalin Peshov
General Manager and Member of the Supervisory Board
GLAVBOLGARSTROY HOLDING AD


Italgas: Strategic role of DSOs in energy transition

It is with great pleasure and conviction that I signed the request for membership in Eurogas.

In the past two years I was able to appreciate – both as President of GD4S and as CEO of Italgas – the rigour and competence with which, day after day, this organisation strives for the good health of the EU gas industry.

During the meetings I have had with Eurogas’ Secretary General, I personally perceived synergy in our visions and objectives, which translated into concrete joint action on strategic issues. It is my intention that the partnerships and collaborations we have shared with “sister” organisations such as GD4S, GEODE and CEDEC will grow and flourish to the benefit of gas DSOs in Europe.

Furthermore, I am more convinced than ever of the decision to join Eurogas because I believe the current moment to be crucial to the future of the gas industry in Europe, and in particular for gas distribution. Personally speaking, and most recently after the publication of the Gas Package, I believe that this is the right time to demonstrate  the strategic role gas DSOs for a quick and efficient energy transition.

Lack of awareness on this point is the result of a series of factors such as there being a high number of small operators with very different capacities, and regional differences in markets in several European countries. I believe there is a need to bring clarity to these complex issues to leverage the role of DSOs in meeting urgent decarbonisation goals. In this sense, I think the time has finally come to invest time and resources to change this situation and build a stronger coalition.

Joining Eurogas goes exactly in this direction, and we will strive to bring to this association the know-how we’ve consolidated over the years as the largest Italian operator in distribution, as well as on the forefront of innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.

My wish is therefore that our contribution, could further strengthen the internal debate and allow Eurogas to embrace even more solutions, in line with the importance and weight of the distribution industry. We embark on this new journey with an open mind and with full transparency, while striving to support this association to the best of our abilities.

I would like to wholeheartedly thank James Watson and all of the staff within Eurogas for the warmth with which you have welcomed us in the organisation and within your working groups.

I am looking forward to meeting you all in person, and to the work we have ahead.

To all readers, I offer my best wishes of good work, good health and a fruitful 2022.

Paolo Gallo
CEO, Italgas


Annual Conference: Shaping the future of gas

This year, our Annual Conference ‘Shaping the Future of Gas‘ will look at the challenges for the energy sector to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and deliver a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. We will discuss the recently published legislations, including Fit for 55 and the Gas package. The in-person event will be followed by a networking reception with an Irish band on the occasion of St Patrick’s day. You can register here.


Events – Coming up

Eurogas Annual Conference ‘Shaping the Future of Gas’ | 17 March 2022, 15:00-18:15 CET (Renaissance Hotel, Brussels)

The conference will look to address the challenges for the energy sector to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and deliver a climate-neutral EU by 2050, in the context of the publication of the Fit for 55 package and the legislative package around gas and buildings.
Three panels will focus on the HeatingMaritime Transport and Industry sectors and their route to decarbonisation.
The event will be followed by a networking reception with an Irish band on the occasion of St Patrick’s day.

Join the discussion! More information on the programme & registration here.

Europe CCUS & Hydrogen Decarbonisation Summit | 30 & 31 March 2022

In line with COP26 the conference will address the latest developments and opportunities across the Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage and Hydrogen sectors, and determine strategies for greater decarbonisation of the energy & carbon intensive industries, keeping 1.5 degrees within reach and achieving net zero by 2050.

The conference will have 300+ C-Level attendees, bringing together decarbonisation policy makers, key industry stake holders, regulators, grid operators, carbon & energy intensive industries, innovators in the field, and leading service companies.
The two-day summit will address approaches for accelerating the roll out of innovative decarbonising technologies.

More information on this event available here.

Eurogas is pleased to be a partner at the Europe CCUS & Hydrogen Decarbonisation Summit (30 & 31 March 2022).

Flame | 3-5 May 2022 (Amsterdam)

Join Flame in Amsterdam for the pivotal European event in the energy transition. Meet with the decision makers who are finding the solutions to decarbonised and secure energy supply. Find out what is next for the role of gas in the move to net zero and the pathways for repurposing natural gas & LNG in the transition to a sustainable energy economy. Benefit from in-depth discussions on movements in trading, pricing post winter for gas and LNG, and the opportunities for collaboration on hydrogen projects. Make the most of your time at Flame with additional summits and networking:

  • Traders Day – insights on pricing volatility, creating the frameworks for low carbon gases, and the impact on COP26 on gas trading.
  • Global LNG Summit – regional analysis of LNG in regional hotspots including Russia, Asia, and Europe. Uncover the next steps for LNG as part of the low carbon energy solution against a backdrop of volatile pricing.
  • Expanded networking with a new Traders Day drinks reception, a Women@Flame Champagne reception, and secret location party during the conference!

More information on this event here.

Eurogas is pleased to be a partner at Flame 2022 (3-5 May 2022).