Energy Administration and Institutions, Funds and Programmes
Public administration
Ministry of Economy and Energy
The ministry responsible for energy policy is the Ministry of Economy and Energy. It was incorporated by decision of the Bulgarian Parliament in August 2005 through the merger of the Ministries of Economy and Ministry of Energy and Energy Resources.
The Ministry of Economy and Energy is working on the development of the economic and energy policy of the Bulgarian state.
Focal points are:
- increasing the competitiveness of the national economy and the various institutions
- encouraging investments, innovations, entrepreneurship, exports, modernization of the industrial base, stimulating measures on energy efficiency in the industry and the use of renewable energy resources
- the implementation of the integration policy,
- foreign economic cooperation.
Energy Efficiency Agency (EEA)
The Energy Efficiency Agency (EEA) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Energy and Energy Resources. It develops programs and projects for improvement of energy efficiency and electric and heat power generation by renewable power sources. It monitors and coordinates energy efficiency programs, analyses and summarizes the results of concrete projects related to the preparation of National Energy Balance. The Energy Efficiency Agency is a legal budgetary entity to the Minister of Energy and Energy Resources. EEA is one of several SAVE agencies in Bulgaria.
The main objectives are:
- Decreasing the energy intensity of the Gross Domestic Product
- Decreasing the energy dependence of the country
- Decreasing the harmful gas emissions in the atmosphere
- Improving the living comfort of Bulgarians
- Achieving a sustainable development
State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission
SEWRC implements the State Regulation in the Energy Sector. The State Energy Regulatory Commission performs the actions needed for granting of permits and licences. Also, it approves the General Conditions of Power, Heat and Natural Gas Sell Agreements that are proposed by the Energy Companies and approves the prices formed by the Energy Companies. The Commission monitors all permits and licenses granted to the Companies within the Power Sector. Concerning competitiveness and the internal energy market, SEWRC is responsible for developing and implementing a tariff and price-setting methodology for electricity, gas and heating, and for approval of tariff proposals submitted by companies in the energy sector.
National Electric Company (NEK)
NEK is a single-owner joint-stock company, 100% held by the State. The single-owner rights are exercised by the Minister of Economy and Energy. After restructuring in 2001, the company's responsabilities have been cut back and are now focusing on the domain of transmission.
Main activities:
- Generation and transmission of electrical energy;
- Centralised purchase and sale of electrical energy;
- Supply of electrical energy to customers connected to the transmission network;
- Import, export of electrical energy;
- Construction and maintenance of power generation and transmission facilities;
- Investment;
- Introduction and promotion of energy efficiency in the generation and transmission of electrical energy.
In line with the provisions of the Energy Act NEK was restructured and a new company ESO EAD (see below) was established.
Electricity System Operator (ESO EAD)
ESO EAD has been established in 2007 as a subsidiary of the National Electrical Company and is to 100 % owned by NEK EAD.
Main activities:
- General operational planning, coordination and control of the electrical power system,
- Coordination and control of the electrical power system,
- Operation, maintenance and reliable functioning of the power transmission network (maintenance activities and services concerning the energy sector)
- Transition of electricity
- Monitoring the electricity market
Agency for Nuclear Regulation
The Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NRA) is the Bulgarian national authority responsible for the regulation and control over the nuclear energy and sources of ionizing radiation as well as the safe management of radioactive waste and spent fuel.
The NRA Chairman is an independent specialized executive authority and has competencies, defined by the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy Act. Two consultative bodies are established to the NRA: Advisory Council on Nuclear Safety and Advisory Council on Radiation Protection.
Ministry of Environment and Water
The Ministry of Environment & Water has the main responsibility for climate protection policy.
It is accompanied by a steering committee for assessment of projects of 12 representatives of all ministries.
The Joint Implementation Unit (JI Unit) in Bulgaria was created in relation to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Kingdom of the Netherlands for cooperation in the area of greenhouse gas emission reductions, signed in April, 2000. The JI Unit is an independent evaluating unit, hosted by the State Energy Efficiency Agency and under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Environment and Water. The main task of the Unit is to evaluate the project proposals submitted to the Dutch partner, and advise the decisions of the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water.
Bulgaria - Joint Implementation Mechanism and Emission Trading in the Republic of Bulgaria – experience and plans
Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works
The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works has the main responsibility for the development of the regions in Bulgaria. It has created the program REECL - Residential Energy Efficiency Credit Line - in 2005 and coordinates all activities linked with the program.
Energy related organisations
- Local and Regional Energy Agencies and Energy Bodies
- Sofia Energy Agency (SOFENA)
(SAVE Agency) - Stara Zagora Municipal Energy Agency
(SAVE Agency) - Municipal Energy Agency - Rousse
(SAVE Agency)
Foundation Regional Energy Center (Lovech)
The Foundation Regional Energy Center located in Lovech acquires and transfers information, technology and know-how to the region and Bulgaria.
Energy Agency of Plovdiv
(SAVE Agency)
Regional Energy Centre Haskovo
The Regional Energy Centre Haskovo offers research, expert appraisal in the field of energy, energy efficiency, management and protection of environment.
Union of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities
The UBBSLA aims to assist and promote cooperation with European partners in the field of energy technology research and development, and in the implementation of new technologies, to facilitate the implementation in the Bulgarian Black Sea Region of new European energy technologies, and to support the establishment of joint-ventures and transfer of technology and know-how.
Black Sea Regional Energy Centre
The activities of the Black Sea Regional Energy Centre (BSREC) include energy policy and energy co-operation encouragement. The Centre was established at the initiative of the European Commission (EC), under its SYNERGY Programme by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine, and the EC. Later, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and FR Yugoslavia became a member.
Association of Bulgarian Energy Agencies (ABEA)
ABEA is a non-government organization, registered by the law as a legal entity with non-profit purpose.The founder members of the Association are legal entities - agencies for energy management on local and regional level, constituted with the financial and methodological assistance of the European Commission.
Bulgarian Biomass Association (BGBIOM)
BGBIOM promotes renewable energy sources, mainly biomass, plant residues and animal manure as energy sources for sustainable society. BGBIOM is located at the Agricultural University in Plovdiv and a member of the European Biomass Association (AEBIOM).
Center for Energy Efficiency (EnEffect)
EnEffect supports the efforts of central and local authorities in Bulgaria to attain sustainable development by investigating the energy efficiency potential in various sectors of the national economy, introduction of incentives for energy savings, elaboration of local/municipal energy efficiency programs, provision of training, etc. EnEffect is located at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Sofia and is the Contact Point for the GreenLight Programme.
Energy for Sustainable Development Bulgaria (ESD)
ESD Bulgaria Ltd operates mainly in energy efficiency , GHG emission trading, CHP and Renewable Energy Sources as a consulting company and engages in the development and implementation of sustainable energy projects. ESD Bulgaria is involved in developing JI (Joint Implementation) projects.
Nucleon Consulting Agency
Nucleon Consulting Agency provides independent information in respect of energy efficiency, environment protection, etc., and participates in National and European projects and programmes on nuclear safety, radioactive waste management, energy efficiency, environment etc.
REC Country Office Bulgaria
There is an office of the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe in Sofia.
Municipal Energy Efficiency Network: EcoEnergy
EcoEnergy is member of Energie-cités .
Energy related funds and programmes
Bulgarian Energy Efficiency Fund
(BGEEF) was established in 2004 and initially capitalized entirely through grants - its major donors being: the Global Environment Facility through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the Government of Austria, The Government of Bulgaria and several private Bulgarian companies. BGEEF supports the identification, development, and financing of viable Energy Efficiency projects predominantly implemented by Bulgarian private enterprises and municipalities. These projects shall result in substantial reduction of greenhouse gases (“GHGs”), which is the main environmental objective of BGEEF as a donor project.
The fund finances for example:
- Investments in improved EE in industrial processes, incl. purchase of equipment, machines/tools, training, technical assistance
- Rehabilitation of buildings
- Replacement of heat exchanger substations
- Fuel switch
- Heating insulation
- Improvements to heat source and distribution system
- Improvements to mechanical heating ventilation and air conditioning
- Modernization of street lighting
- Small co-generation systems
The underlying principle of BGEEF’s operations is a public-private partnership (“PPP”). This means that the Fund pursues an agenda fully supported by the Government of Bulgaria, but it is structured as an independent legal entity, separate from any governmental agency or institution. The Fund is profit-oriented and pursues financial sustainability of its own operation.
More detailed information can be found on the Fund's website at http://www.bgeef.com/ and in the document below:
Bulgarian National Programme on Renewable Energy Sources (NPRES) draft
The National Programme on Renewable Energy Sources (NPRES) draft contains nearly 1,000 concrete real investment projects and project proposals from all administrative regions and public sectors in Bulgaria including projects on:
- Solar hot water, heating and PV systems
- wind farms
- Small Hydro Power Stations (SHPPs)
- Geothermal
- Biomass
- Biogas and Natural (detander generators) gas
The NPRES aims to considerably increase the share of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in the National Energy Balance (currently only 0.4%).
Bulgaria Municipal Energy Efficiency Program (MEEP)
Electrotek Concepts, Inc operates the Bulgaria Municipal Energy Efficiency Program (MEEP) funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The project aims at establishing sustainable mechanisms for long-term energy efficiency project financing in Bulgaria.
- Develop a pipeline of bankable energy efficiency projects.
- Assist commercial banks with establishing energy efficiency financing.
- Develop project business plans and loan applications.
- Structure financial deals with commercial banks.
- Build municipal and industrial capacity to develop bankable energy efficiency projects.
- Create broad-based public support for implementation of energy efficiency projects.
As of mid-2003, more than 30 projects had been initiated under MEEP. The total cost of these projects amounted to roughly US$11 million, 40% of which was devoted to municipal initiatives. Projects have been conducted on central heating systems in schools and other public buildings, in addition to municipal street lighting. These municipal projects have thus far demonstrated an impressive return, with an average payback period of three and a half years.
Residential Energy Efficiency Credit Line (REECL)
The REECL facility aims to give householders across Bulgaria an opportunity to realise the benefits of energy efficiency home improvements by providing them with loans and incentive grants through local participating banks.
Bulgarian Energy and Renewable Energy Credit Line (BEERECL)
In order to promote RES, Bulgaria is currently implementing the Bulgarian Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Credit Line (BEERECL). RES projects are eligible for a 20% grant. Loans worth more than EUR 12.8 million have already been granted.
The BEERECL has been developed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in 2004 in close co-operation with the Bulgarian Government and the European Union.
The facility extends loans to participating banks for on-lending to private sector companies for industrial energy efficiency and small renewable projects.
