Energy Efficiency

Bulgaria to use EUR 1.5 billion from EU recovery fund for energy efficiency

Bulgaria EUR 1 5 billion EU recovery energy efficiency

Photo: MichaelGaida from Pixabay

Published

November 27, 2020

Country

Comments

comments icon

0

Share

Published:

November 27, 2020

Country:

Comments:

comments icon

0

Share

In the draft National Recovery and Resilience Plan of Bulgaria, EUR 882.2 million is indicated for incentives for energy refurbishment of residential buildings. The entire energy efficiency segment will be worth EUR 1.53 billion, according to Minister Petya Avramova.

The government’s current support scheme for the reconstruction of multifamily homes has been suspended, but Bulgaria intends to use funds from the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility to continue and expand the scope of incentives for energy efficiency. Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Petya Avramova told private news outlet bTV that EUR 1.53 billion would be earmarked for the purpose.

EU member countries must adopt national recovery and resilience plans for the period through 2026 to become eligible for financing. Bulgaria published its draft late last month.

Majority of funds intended for residential sector

Avramova noted single-family homes, industrial, public and municipal buildings and street lighting have been included. The majority share, EUR 882.2 million, is for residential buildings, to be upgraded to energy class B or A.

The guidelines for application are being prepared and the program will be expanded to renewable energy systems, the minister added. The old scheme was only for the insulation of roofs and external walls and window replacement.

The government wants to allocate EUR 2.24 billion from the planned EUR 6.15 billion to the Green Bulgaria pillar, which includes energy efficiency

The Recovery and Resilience Facility, part of the European Green Deal, is worth EUR 672.5 billion. It is intended for addressing the economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and making public systems and the economy more shock-resistant.

The Green Bulgaria pillar, one of four in the EUR 6.15 billion draft, is estimated at EUR 2.24 billion. The energy efficiency program is actually predicted to be worth EUR 1.47 million, according to the document published by the government of Bulgaria. It was listed within the segment of Green Bulgaria for circular economy and low-carbon development, of EUR 1.73 billion.

EU scheme complements national incentives program

Priority in the residential segment will be given to sites and buildings that got approval under the national program for energy efficiency in multifamily homes and the domestic operational program Regions in Growth 2014-2020, the draft reads. Funds in the scheme have been depleted.

Administrative structures will account for 70% of the EUR 213.1 million that was earmarked for energy renovation of governmental and municipal buildings. The remainder will be split between sports and infrastructure.

The third component, EUR 144.1 million, is indicated for industrial buildings, leaving EUR 230.9 million for outdoor lighting, the draft reveals.

Comments (0)

Be the first one to comment on this article.

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

serbia green budget projects 2025 railway

Serbia introduces Green Budget, earmarks EUR 1 billion for projects

06 December 2024 - The 2025 Budget Law includes the first Green Budget annex, listing 64 green projects to be implemented next year

eenergy grants western balkans

EENergy offers EUR 10,000 grants to SMEs for energy efficiency, Western Balkans also included

05 December 2024 - Firms based in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey are among the ones eligible for funding

Serbia Energy Sector Development Strategy 2040 2050

What does Serbia’s new Energy Sector Development Strategy bring

29 November 2024 - The National Assembly in Belgrade passed the Energy Sector Development Strategy of Serbia up to 2040 with Projections up to 2050

EUSEW

EUSEW2025 awards applications are open

29 November 2024 - EUSEW awards are a recognition of the success of projects and the individual and collective efforts with outstanding results in energy efficiency and renewable energy