site.btaRenewable Energy, Insulation Materials, Geothermal Energy Improve Quality of Life, Experts Say

Renewable energy, thermal insulation materials and geothermal energy will improve the quality of life, experts said during a seminar, titled "Energy: How Can Municipalities Reduce Their Emissions?" at the French Institute in Bulgaria on Tuesday. The forum was part of the programme of the "EcoCommunity" competition initiated by the French Embassy and the French Institute in Bulgaria, which aims to reward the efforts of local authorities to improve the quality of life of citizens by promoting sustainable urban development.

The discussion was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, the Ministry of Environment and Water, the National Association of the Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB), the For the Nature environmental association, the Center for Energy Efficiency (EnEffect), and the Association of Ecologists from Municipalities in Bulgaria. 

Director of the French Institute Luc Levy opened the discussion by pointing out that 60% of greenhouse gases come from cities. Levy explained that all municipalities on the territory of Bulgaria can apply until November 11 for the competition, and this year municipalities will be awarded in three categories: waste and recycling, sustainable mobility and energy, and emissions. Six of the applicants will be able to visit France to observe and take examples of good practice, Levy added. 

"The role of Bulgarian municipalities is essential for the right energy transition", said Rumyana Boyanova from For the Nature. She expressed her belief that municipalities need support to get the transition right and to make it beneficial for the municipalities' residents.

"There is a procedure announced under the Development of Regions Operational Programme and over 300 projects have been received from municipalities under the Fair Transition and Energy Efficiency in Residential Buildings Fund", said Angel Gyorev, representative of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works. He explained that a procedure for energy efficiency of enterprises that are in the sphere of manufacturing, trade and services is currently being implemented. He pointed out that there is also a large programme for multi-family residential buildings, for which he said they are working very well with the municipalities. 

"The territory of Bulgaria is very promising for the construction of geothermal energy projects", said Georgi Stefanov, Board member of the Bulgarian Association for Geothermal Energy. He explained that there are two geological provinces in Bulgaria with potential for electricity production and direct use of heat. Stefanov gave examples of the use of geothermal energy, explaining that sources with temperatures up to 75C can be used for heating greenhouses, fisheries, balneology and spa hotels. While sources with temperatures between 75C and 150C can additionally be used for district heating and in industrial processes. Higher temperature geothermal energy sources above 150C, 4 km to 6 km underground, enable both primary electricity generation and secondary applications - for direct heat recovery, he noted.