BRM acquires Bulgarian Energy Trading Platform

The Romanian Commodity Exchange (BRM) has reached an agreement to acquire the Bulgarian Energy Trading Platform (BETP AD), in order to boost the neighboring country’s energy market and regional cooperation on natural gas trading, BRM announced.   According to the cited source, the transaction will bring significant benefits to Bulgaria and Romania by strengthening energy security, expanding trading opportunities and strengthening the role of both countries in the ever-changing energy landscape of Southeastern Europe.   “This strategic move underlines the commitment of BRM and BETP AD to the integration of regional energy markets, giving Bulgaria and Romania a stronger position in diversifying energy sources and reducing dependence on traditional suppliers. By adding BETP AD, a respected and well-established player in the Bulgarian natural gas trading sector, to the BRM family, the aim is to consolidate the regional energy market by increasing efficiency, transparency and cross-border collaboration,” the statement reads. BRM believes that regional relations are thus consolidated, as the partnership will strengthen collaboration between the energy markets of Bulgaria and Romania, ensuring better coordination of gas supply and demand and supporting Bulgaria’s strategic energy objectives.   It is also aimed at increasing the security of natural gas supply, the acquisition being “in line” with Bulgaria’s objective to diversify energy supply routes and sources, reduce dependence on gas imports from Russia and build a more secure and resilient energy system.   In addition, the integration of BRM’s expertise with BETP AD’s well-established local presence will improve the competitiveness, transparency and efficiency of the Bulgarian natural gas market, to the benefit of Bulgarian companies and consumers. The advantages for consumers and companies refer to the fact that this initiative ensures more secure and competitive access to energy, directly supporting Bulgaria’s economic growth and sustainability goals.   By expanding its activity in Bulgaria, BRM will work closely with local stakeholders to discover new opportunities for market participants and ensure organic integration. This acquisition highlights Bulgaria’s growing importance in the South-Eastern European energy market and strengthens its role in the energy transition in the region.   The Romanian Commodity Exchange has been a pioneer in the Romanian commodity trading market since 1993, offering innovative trading solutions in the natural gas, electricity and other markets.   The Bulgarian Energy Trading Platform was established with the aim of creating, developing and managing an organized, unitary, reliable and stable regional market for natural gas, contributing to increasing transparency and liquidity in the natural gas markets in the South-Eastern European region. Since 2021, BETP holds a license to carry out the activity of “organizing a natural gas trading market” in Bulgaria, valid for a period of 35 years.