site.btaBulgarian Legislation, Practices for Sustainable Construction Lagging Behind and Outdated - Deputy PM Zaharieva

Bulgarian Legislation,
Practices for Sustainable Construction Lagging Behind and
Outdated - Deputy PM Zaharieva


Sofia, October 26 (BTA) - Bulgarian legislation and practices
related to sustainable construction are lagging behind and
outdated, said Deputy Prime Minister and Regional Development
Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva here on Friday during a conference
on sustainable development. There is no cheaper energy than
saved energy, she noted, adding that amendments to the energy
efficiency ordinance have been prepared and sent to the European
Commission for consideration.

Each construction or renovation permit issued for public
buildings after 2018 must be for energy efficient buildings with
energy consumption close to zero. This requirement will come
into effect for residential buildings in 2020, she explained.

Unfortunately the current legislation is such that people who
invest money and protect the environment are penalized by having
to pay more taxes, because their total built-up area is
calculated based on the building's external walls. This will
change with the new legislation, under which a building's total
built-up area will be calculated based on its interior walls,
which in turn will stimulate owners to use thicker external
insulation. According to her, the State also lacks programmes
for supporting the renovation of Bulgarian homes.

Zaharieva said that funds for improving the Bulgarian economy's
and businesses' energy efficiency are provided in the new
programming period - not only for machines and equipment, but
also for industrial buildings. For the first time in Bulgaria
this period will include integrated plans for sustainable urban
environment and not just buildings, she explained. PK/MY