Energy Policy
Integrated National Climate and Energy Strategy (INCEP)
In order to minimize the reporting burden for European Union Member States, the European Commission has come up with a new governance regulation, which states that MS have to lay out their climate and energy targets, policies and measures in their INCEPs. Bulgaria's Integrated National Climate and Energy Strategy (INCEP) constitutes an integral part of the country's energy and climate policy.
The final energy consumption of the country will be reduced from 8.67 Mtoe (99.6 TWh) to 10.3 Mtoe (123.3 TWh) in 2030.
Energy Strategy until 2020
The energy policy of Bulgaria is embedded in the European energy policy framework and was implemented on a national level by the Bulgarian Energy Law, which was amended in March 2015. In this context an energy strategy was developed. It was published by the Ministry of Energy and last updated in 2018 to include further provisions to ensure the stability of the country's gas supply (the amendments are only available in Bulgarian).
The main challenges addressed by the Bulgarian energy strategy are:
- The energy intensity of GDP in Bulgaria is higher than EU average, though nowadays a decreasing trend is visible, improvements are necessary. The Energy Strategy until 2020 (June 2011) aims to reduce energy intensity by 50% by 2020, which would correspond to a 25% increase in the energy efficiency and primary energy savings of more than 5 Mtoe in comparison to the reference scenario.
- The diversification of energy supply should be increased, as around 70% of the gross energy demand are imported from Russia.
- Measures to reduce greenhouse gases and climate change, should be taken.
- Improve energy security by further developing gas and shale gas infrastructure.
The full Energy Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria can be found in English here.
Last update: 06 2022