With the change in legislation, it is now possible to take the most important step to attract investors in the use of geothermal energy in Bulgaria and to develop this extremely promising energy sector. Within the framework of the discussion, which included leading international experts, studies on the geothermal potential in our country were presented.
This was stated by the Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov during a discussion dedicated to the use and prospects for the implementation of geothermal energy projects. The forum, jointly organized by the Ministry of Energy and the Embassy of the Netherlands in our country, was part of the program of the Energy Summit 2025 conference.
The Netherlands and Hungary are among the most advanced countries in Europe in the use of geothermal potential for energy purposes. Bulgaria will cooperate closely with these countries, studying their experience and the challenges on the way to the implementation of successful projects in the sector. Bulgaria also receives technical support from the World Bank on the topic.
Geothermal energy provides real energy diversification and is a serious factor for the security of supplies, Minister Stankov pointed out. In his words, this is one of the energy sources that have the potential to maintain high competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy. Under the Modernization Fund, we are discussing a scheme for exploration and exploitation activities for the use of geothermal energy, Minister Stankov also announced. He expressed his confidence that the recruitment of specific projects for funding can begin as soon as possible.
Five projects implemented in the period 2020-2024, with the support of the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism under the program “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy“, managed by the Ministry of Energy, with a total value of 1.8 million euros, are yielding convincing results in providing clean energy, energy efficiency and improved quality of life. With the implementation of the projects in Burgas, Strelcha, Pomorie, Velingrad and Yambol, 1.19 MW of geothermal capacity has been installed with an annual production of 1545.36 MWh of geothermal energy. Through them, carbon emissions are reduced by 1823.24 tons/year.