site.btaPresident Radev, EBRD President Discuss Investment Opportunities in Energy, Transport

President Rumen Radev conferred with European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) President Odile Renaud-Basso to discuss investment opportunities in transport connectivity and the energy sector, the President’s press secretariat announced on Wednesday.

Renaud-Basso is on an official visit to Bulgaria as part of preparations for the EBRD’s new five-year strategy for the country.

During the meeting, discussions centred on Bulgaria’s potential to establish itself as a regional hub for renewable energy storage in Southeast Europe. This includes the development of Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Power Plants (PSHPP) and the optimal utilization of geothermal energy. Radev stressed that such investments would not only strengthen Bulgaria’s energy security but also help balance energy needs across the region.

The talks also covered infrastructure projects aimed at improving transport connectivity in Southeast Europe to enhance the region’s competitiveness and economic growth. Radev highlighted Bulgaria’s strong optical connectivity, advanced digital infrastructure, highly skilled IT workforce, and energy diversification as key factors in attracting large-scale investments in artificial intelligence, including gigafactories and next-generation data storage and processing centers.

EBRD more than doubled its investments in Bulgaria in 2024 compared to the previous year. The bank provided financing totalling EUR 272 million through 20 separate projects during the year. In contrast, the previous year's financing in Bulgaria was EUR 117 million across 14 projects.