Bulgaria Hopes To Reach 11% Share of Renewables in Power Consumption in 2010

Electricity generated from renewable resources, mostly water, currently cover less than 10% of Bulgaria's gross domestic electricity consumption. The country has 330 megawatts of installed wind energy capacity and just 3.0 MW of solar energy capacity.

“I suppose we will meet the 11% target […] in 2010 as there is [investors’] interest,” Kostadinka Todorova, energy efficiency and environment protection director at the energy ministry, told a photovoltaic conference held in Sofia.

The development of renewable energy resources in Bulgaria gained momentum after the country joined the European Union in 2007. Bulgaria must cover 16% its gross domestic energy consumption with electricity generated from renewables by 2020 to meet the requirements of the bloc.

If the country fails to achieve meet this target, the EU would launch an infringement procedure against it and will impose fines, Todorova said.