site.btaEnergy Efficiency Renovation Funds under Recovery and Resilience Plan Have Been Saved, Minister Ivanov Says

Speaking at a news briefing at the Council of Ministers, Bulgaria’s Regional Development and Public Works Minister Ivan Ivanov said that “the funds under the Recovery and Resilience Plan for energy efficiency renovations of multi-family residential buildings have been saved.” He attributed this to the efforts of his ministry and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev.

“Part of the funds will remain with the Ministry of Regional Development. Under an agreement with the European Commission, the remaining portion will be transferred to the Bulgarian Development Bank (BDB),” Ivanov said. He noted that a Council of Ministers decision on this matter is expected in the coming weeks.

“This is a major success, considering the failure we encountered when the government took office and the serious risk that most - or virtually all - of these funds could have been lost,” he added.

Ivanov said that contracts are being implemented, with payments to municipalities already being made. “As of now, under stage one, BGN 2.5 million has been disbursed. Municipalities that have selected contractors are receiving payments daily, and energy efficiency renovation activities are being carried out,” the Minister added. He noted that 90 contracts have been signed under the second stage, and they will be transferred to the BDB.

He noted that BGN 4 billion is expected to be invested in energy efficiency renovation projects by the end of 2029.

At its meeting earlier in the day, the Council of Ministers adopted a decision approving a report on the implementation of the Energy Efficiency of Multi-Family Residential Buildings National Programme in 2024. In Ivanov’s words, renovation work has begun on 99.9% of all buildings with active funding contracts. Over 131,729 buildings have undergone renovations, and 11,139,921 square meters of housing infrastructure have been improved.