ENABLE.EU round table on governance barriers to the energy transition in Bulgaria

Bulgarian round table on the energy transitionOn 18 July 2018, ENABLE.EU’s Bulgarian partner, the Center for the Study of Democracy, welcomed representatives from all major policy institutions to a round table discussion on the priorities for the National Energy and Climate Plan through 2030. To set the scene for discussion, CSD presented major findings from the analysis of governance barriers to the energy transition in Bulgaria, based on ENABLE.EU’s international survey, as well as its latest report on the decentralisation of electricity generation in the country. The roundtable was organized under the Chatham House rules and brought together participants from relevant ministries (Energy, Regional Development, Transport, Environment, Agriculture), the national energy regulator, state agencies, regional energy agencies, and academia. The discussion focused on some key issues, e.g. the need for an integrated and cross-sectoral approach in the design and implementation of energy policies in the country, how to engage all relevant stakeholders and in particular how to boost the involvement of local governments. This is aimed at overcoming the sharp decline of investments in RES, the result of the RES boom in the country in 2011-2013. The RES boom led to a hike in electricity prices and a negative public opinion towards renewables, as well as the need for the transformation of existing national policies towards energy poverty and vulnerable groups.