25.04.2024

Updated Roadmap for climate neutrality of Bulgaria passed through two commissions in the National Assembly

The Committee on Energy and the Committee on Environment and Water in the National Assembly adopted at a joint meeting a Draft Decision in support of the updated Roadmap for climate neutrality of the Republic of Bulgaria proposed by the Council of Ministers, No. 49-454-02-88, submitted by Delyan Dobrev and a group of people's representatives on 22.04.2024.

In the reasons, it is recalled that with a decision of January 26, 2024, the Council of Ministers offers the National Assembly a Roadmap for climate neutrality, based on the report under item 1. with Decision No. 618 of the MC of 2023 and updated with Decision No. 702 of the MC of 2023, transmits BTA.

What does the updated Roadmap provide?

The road map presents by periods the target measures and policies, as well as key stages of the development of the electricity sector, taking into account the development of other key sectors of the economy.

In the text of the updated road map, it is written that by 2026 it is planned to implement full liberalization policies and introduce long-term contracts for renewable energy sources. It also envisages promoting renewable energy communities and generating electricity consumers. By then, 3500 megawatts (MW) of new RES capacity is expected to be in place, bringing RES capacity to 5200 megawatts, as well as 1000 megawatts of storage systems (batteries).

In the updated road map, it is planned to implement measures for energy efficiency and decentralized production of electricity by 2030, including through financial support. Mine reclamation measures must then be implemented. By 2030, 7500 megawatts of renewable energy capacity should be installed, as well as offshore wind power plants. It is planned to have batteries for 1600 megawatts. Regarding the coal capacities, the document reminds that the Council of Ministers has undertaken not to limit the activity of the coal plants, if they work on a market principle in accordance with the European and national legislation and with the decision of the National Assembly of October 4, 2023.

By 2035, RES capacities are expected to exceed 10 megawatts, and large-scale offshore wind power plants – 000 megawatts. By 1500, a capacity of 2035 gigawatt of power using lignite as a strategic reserve can be maintained to meet critical needs to ensure the national electricity balance. Based on the findings of the Energy Transition Commission Report, the final date for phasing out the use of coal is December 1, 31, the roadmap states.

Reactions

During the meeting, Iskra Mihailova from the "Vazrazhdane" parliamentary group said that she fears that the proposed updated road map is related to the upcoming elections. She pointed out that the PG of "Vazrazhdane" cannot support a road map that "literally restored everything that the energy workers protested to be dropped".

Dragomir Stoynev from the PG of "BSP for Bulgaria" asked what necessitates this urgency for the adoption of the road map. He added that the proposed version envisages the use of a lot of offshore wind. Stoynev emphasized that the PG of "BSP for Bulgaria" is categorical in favor of a complete review of the Green Deal and there is no way the group can support this proposal.

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and deputy from the PG of GERB-SDS Delyan Dobrev pointed out that there is still no law regarding offshore wind. Regarding the future of coal plants, the laws in Bulgaria are the ones that determine the policies in the country. He gave as an example that in the second point of today's meeting, the liberalization of electricity is postponed for one year, and with the third point, the future of the Mariska Basin is guaranteed for at least another 5 years, because the commission will vote on a proposal that the Council of Ministers provide 200 million. BGN per year for reclamation.

In the end, the Energy Commission adopted the draft of the updated Climate Neutrality Roadmap of the Republic of Bulgaria with 17 "for" and 6 "against", and the Environment and Water Commission - with 12 "for" and 5 "against".