Bulgaria's strategic geographic location could turn the country into an energy centre for Southeastern Europe, Enel energy company CEO Fulvio Conti told a press conference on October 4.

Conti signed a memorandum for understanding and co-operation with the National Electric Company (NEC) and Bulgarian gas supplier Bulgargaz, Focus news agency reported.

Enel would research the opportunities for further development of Bulgaria's natural gas distribution infrastructure, Conti said.

The memorandum between NEC and Enel features research over the construction of additional power sources within Maritsa Iztok 3 thermal power plant, Focus reported. Investment in such project would reach nearly 900 million euro.

Bulgargaz and Enel would co-operate on the setting up of a natural gas pipeline connecting Bulgaria to Italy and passing through Macedonia and Albania.

Economy and Energy Minister Roumen Ovcharov said that Bulgaria needed additional power sources. Initially experts had to research what type of equipment would be needed and the effects such project would have on the ecology, Ovcharov said.