Background

Harmonisation of Bulgarian legislation with EU energy legislation

BSERC has been actively involved in aligning the country’s energy legislation with the European Union standards to enhance the investment climate and encourage foreign investment in the energy sector.

In collaboration with EU and local consultants, the Centre has performed projects aimed at implementing the key requirements and provisions of the main EU political and legislative documents.

The Centre has also played a significant role in drafting and supporting the development of several key legislative documents at national level – the Energy Act, the Energy Efficiency Act, the Energy from Renewable Sources Act, the Energy Strategy and several secondary regulations. Additionally, BSERC has provided expert support to the State Energy Regulatory Commission for the development of the Energy Services Quality Regulation and the development of Electricity Network and Metering Codes, both crucial for the future liberalisation of the electricity market.

Security of energy supply and promotion of renewable energy and climate protection

The Centre has undertaken a number of initiatives and studies dedicated to the diversification of energy supply and enhancement of the interconnection of electricity grid.

In addition, numerous projects have been implemented to promote renewable energy, focused on:

• Transfer of RES-utilization technologies;
• Evaluation of the economic, environmental, social, and policy aspects;
• Financing sources and schemes;
• Technical complications related to the integration of RES installations to the grid;
• Legislation and regulations;
• RES deployment strategies and research priorities;
• Encouraging the creation and expansion of energy communities and citizen-led energy projects;
• Training, promotion and dissemination.

Energy efficiency and rational use of energy

Reducing energy consumption and achieving energy savings are critical priorities for the economies of the EU and its Member States. The Centre has devoted a significant part of its activities to this area. Extensive experience and expertise have been gained in performing energy audits in industry and in building sector, assessing the EE potential at national and local levels, development of municipal energy balances and plans, training and dissemination of EU best practices.

To strengthen its capacity, the Centre actively collaborates with high level experts from the Technical Universities of Sofia and Varna. Jointly with them, the Centre has successfully performed a number of projects on the rational use of energy (RUE) both in industrial and building sectors.

Energy efficiency services (EES) have gained increasing importance in recent years. The Centre has put efforts to support the development of EES market in Bulgaria. Its activities include assistance to private EES providers in developing marketing strategies and business plans, offering training, developing a code of conduct, and promoting best practices. 

At the legislative level the Centre has contributed to the development of the Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan of Bulgaria. It has also played a key role in the drafting of the Bulgarian Energy Efficiency Act and in aligning Bulgarian legislation with the Energy Services Directive and Energy Efficiency Directive (see CA-ESD and CA-EED projects).

Since 2023, BSERC has been actively involved in the preparation of the implementation of the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) in Bulgaria.

Training, promotion and dissemination of information

One of the core objectives of the BSERC’s activities is to disseminate information and raise awareness about policies, technologies, financing, experience and knowledge in the energy sector, targeting both the general public and key stakeholders. The Centre organises information and communication campaigns, workshops, conferences, seminars, and training sessions. It also develops and maintains project websites and social media profiles, and publishes newsletters, brochures and other materials.

The Centre has organised or has been involved in the organisation of several high-level conferences, dozens of seminars, workshops, roundtables, training courses, and other events, both in Bulgaria and across the countries of the Black Sea region.