site.btaLong-Term Solution Sought for National Programme for Energy Renovation of Multifamily Residential Buildings

Pernik, Southwestern Bulgaria, August 22 (BTA) - "A sustainable long-term solution is being sought on terms that will make it possible to renovate a large part of residential buildings countrywide," Bulgarian Deputy Regional Development and Public Works Minister Malina Kroumova said here on Tuesday.

She does not think it makes sense to allocate further financial resources, be it 1,000 million, 1,500 million or 3,000 million leva, which, too, will be depleted at some point. "Various levels of the residents contribution can be set depending on the conditions of the building," the Deputy Minister said, adding that the packages contemplated will vary by the specific characteristics and needs of the buildings concerned.

"I think that structural strengthening should be included because many of the buildings have substantial structural issues in addition to bad energy characteristics," Kroumova pointed out. In her words, this is needed in order to lengthen the useful life of the residential buildings. A similar approach could also be taken to the replacement of wiring, plumbing, heating and other building systems.

Energy renovation continues on the funds available. The buildings for which target financing has been provided will be finished, the Deputy Minister said. Other buildings, which have been approved but for which target financing contracts have not yet been signed, will have to wait until the Programme and the results are analyzed.

Earlier this month, Kroumova's Ministry said that financing for energy renovation has been provided to 2,022 buildings, of which 541 were renovated and commissioned by August 3, 2017. Construction works were in progress for another 594 buildings, and measures for the improvement of energy efficiency will be taken shortly for a further 887 buildings.