site.btaEnergy Transition Commission under European Green Deal Consultative Council Working on Energy Transition Scenarios

The Energy Transition Commission under the Consultative Council on the  European Green Deal is working on energy transition scenarios, the Government Information Service reported after a meeting between Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov, ministers and trade union leaders. 

The talks focused on the territorial plans for just transition in coal regions, which are undergoing public discussions until the end of September.

The scenarios include modelling of electricity consumption and the development of the electricity sector. The focus is on the development of new low-emission capacity and a smooth and structured transition to decarbonization, which will provide clarity and predictability for both industry and energy over the next 30 years, the Council of Ministers added. 

The modelling presents the possible options for the development of the existing electricity production facilities and the introduction of new ones, the investments required for this, the effect on carbon emissions, etc. The scenarios will be used to prepare a roadmap for climate neutrality, the press release added. 

The Council of Ministers further said that the trade unions will be actively involved in all stages of the process. 

A series of meetings are planned at the Council of Ministers in this format as well as at expert level in individual ministries.

On August 9 it became clear that teams from the Energy Ministry and the Regional Development and Public Works Ministry have drafted urgently updated versions of the territorial plans for just transition in the regions of Stara Zagora, Pernik and Kyustendil, the Energy Ministry said. After an extensive discussion with stakeholders on the measures planned in them, the plans will be officially sent to the European Commission in September so that they can be approved by the end of the year. This is a key condition for the three regions most affected by the energy transition to benefit from the EUR 1.15 billion to support their transformation. 

Updating the territorial plans for just transition is a key step for the successful implementation of an effective and smooth transformation of the most affected coal regions, the press release noted.