Background information

In order to ensure a coordinated and coherent approach across EU and implementation of the Energy Union strategy, Bulgaria prepared an Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (IECP) in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. IECP sets out the main objectives and measures for implementation of national energy and climate policies, in the context of European legislation, principles and priorities for energy development.

The Integrated Plan is based on numerous national strategic documents, such as:

• The Energy Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria until 2020;
• The National Strategy for Development of Mining Industry until 2030;
• The Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation;
• The National policy framework for the development of the alternative energy market policy framework for development of alternative fuels market in transport sector and for the deployment of the relevant infrastructure;
• The Integrated Transport Strategy 2030;
• The National Renewable Energy Action Plan;
• The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2014 - 2020;
• The National Forest Biomass Energy Action Plan 2018-2027;
• The National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for Bulgaria and Action Plan.

Content of measure

The main objectives and measures for implementation of national energy and climate policies of the Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (IECP) in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 are the following:

• Stimulating low-carbon economic development;
• Developing a competitive and secure energy sector;
• Reducing dependence on imported fuels and energy;
• Ensuring affordable energy for all consumers.

The national energy priorities can be summarised as follows:

• Increasing energy security and diversification of energy supplies;
• Developing an integrated and competitive energy market;
• Use and development of energy from renewable energy sources, in accordance with available resources, network capacity and national specificities;
• Increasing energy efficiency through the development and application of new technologies to achieve modern and sustainable energy;
• Protecting consumers by ensuring fair, transparent and non-discriminatory conditions for the use of energy services.

The strategy fills a gap in Bulgaria's policy on by outlining the country's approach to adapting key sectors of the economy to a changing climate.

Use of measure

In order to achieve the national target for the share of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in gross final energy consumption by 2030 (27.09%), the following sectoral distribution is projected: 30.33% share of RES in the electricity sector; 42.60% share of RES in the heating and cooling sector, according to Draft Strategy for sustainable energy development of the Republic of Bulgaria until 2030 with a horizon until 2050 .

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Applies to all workers	Applies to all businesses	Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Trade unions Employers' organisations Company / Companies Other social actors (e.g. NGOs) Local / regional government	European Funds National funds National Recovery and Resilience Facility

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies	Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Social partners jointly
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

Social Partners were informed and consulted about the content of the Integrated Energy and Climate Plan since 2019. Economic and Social Council also published a statement. Social partners were able to provide comments and suggestions during public consultations.

Views and reactions

On behalf of employers, the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA) proposed to the President of Bulgaria the formation of a broadly representative expert working group for the development of a Strategy for Sustainable Energy Development until 2050. BIA supported the adoption and implementation of the integrated plan.

Both decarbonisation and energy market liberalisation in Bulgaria are under discussion and trade unions and employer organisations share contradictory views. Opposition from miners and plant workers about foreseen closure of some thermal power plants is supported by trade unions. The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) has repeatedly stated that for implementation of such a reform as full liberalization of electricity market for household consumers, a comprehensive assessment of the impact on all participants in the electricity market - households, producers, traders - is necessary.

Under the pressure of trade unions at the end of 2022, by Parliamentary Decision of 8 November 2022 the regulated market remains in force until 31 December 2025. On the occasion of initiated changes in the Energy Act, presented for public discussion at the end of July 2023, in its position CITUB reiterated that the abolition of regulated prices for household consumers will lead to severe social problems due to the danger of a sharp jump in prices and inability of household consumers to adapt to the new conditions. The National Energy Chamber also expressed concerns about the Draft Integrated Plan, stating that it does not include specific measures that Bulgaria will carry out in order to achieve the necessary transformation of the electricity market, as it has supported at European level. Moreover, the state that it does not clearly outline the country's plan for phased decarbonisation and the associated restructuring of the sector.

Sources

• 11 March 2014: Climate Change Mitigation Act (www.moew.government.bg)
• 29 January 2019: BIA statement of Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (www.bia-bg.com)
• 19 June 2019: National Energy Chamber position on the Integrated Plan (necbg.eu)
• 25 October 2019: National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan 2030 (www.strategy.bg)
• 27 February 2020: Bulgaria's Integrated Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030 (www.strategy.bg)
• 29 June 2022: Economic and Social Council: Opinion on Social Climate Fund (esc.bg)
• 15 September 2022: Action Plan 2022-2024, National Development Program 'Bulgaria 2030' (www.strategy.bg)
• 24 February 2023: ADDRESS FOR THE ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT 2050 (www.bia-bg.com)
• 12 September 2023: Decarbonising the Bulgarian Power Sector (csd.bg)
• 24 October 2023: CITUB Position in relation to the changes in Energy Law concerning the liberalization of the electricity market (knsb-bg.org)