Bulgaria plans to finish first floating solar project by year-end

Date: June 3^rd 2022

Topic: Electricity , Renewables , Energy policy , Heating

Bulgaria is making intensive efforts to diversify and is currently implementing new renewable energy pilot projects, such as a floating solar plant and an offshore wind farm, its environmental minister said on Thursday.

Speaking to the Bulgarian news portal Investor, Borislav Sandov said that the country’s first floating solar plant should be completed by the end of the year.

The minister also said that Bulgaria wants to unlock its offshore wind potential and is considering a joint venture with Romania to develop a large offshore wind farm project.

Bulgaria is one of the few countries in the EU with access to the sea that has not done anything to develop its offshore wind capacity. The Bulgarian Black Sea region has offshore wind potential of 4.3 GW.

The government is also researching the use of geothermal energy for the production of electricity and heat, the latter of which could be very interesting for the city of Sofia, added the minister.

Sandov then underlined the potential importance of the EU’s new REPowerEU plan to unlocking Bulgaria’s renewables potential, since it would enable considerable new funding for such projects.

The Bulgarian government is currently in the process of changing the country’s regulatory framework to accelerate renewables deployment, easing permitting and grid connection procedures.

Last week, the Bulgarian parliament adopted legislation that simplifies the rules for installing solar panels that produce electricity for self-consumption.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, members of the Bulgarian parliament’s energy commission said that legislation comprehensively addressing all issues that have delayed the country’s green transition should be proposed in the next six months.