site.btaBulgarian Energy and Mining Forum Proposes 25 Measures to Boost Economy, Reform Energy Sector

The Bulgarian Energy and Mining Forum (BEMF) has presented 25 groups of measures and policies that, according to the organization, will stimulate economic growth. These proposals are included in the Integrated Horizontal Programme ENERGY+, which was publicly discussed at the UniCredit Bulbank International Center in Sofia on Thursday.

BEMF Chair Ivan Hinovski said that European green policies have recently undergone changes, and the objectives outlined in the programme are aimed at “protecting our national interests and energy security in response to the new reality”. He emphasized that the energy sector requires reforms that are already overdue.

The programme’s authors propose new principles for assessing the feasibility of energy projects. “We suggest seven criteria for evaluating each energy project,” Hinovski explained.

He added that the programme contains multiple proposals designed to increase investments in the energy sector. It also envisions a new operational model for the Electricity System Operator, Bulgargaz, and Bulgartransgaz, along with improvements to the legislative framework.

Energy expert Miroslav Damyanov, co-author of the programme, explained that it aims to accelerate investments in energy, particularly in the grid, maintain conventional generation capacities, and implement a moratorium limiting the construction of new photovoltaic facilities. In connection with the rapid development of new renewable energy sources, the programme proposes the creation of a dedicated fund responsible for recycling the waste generated by these installations.