The National Energy Efficiency Strategy encounters serious obstacles in identifying and supporting households in need. According to Dragomir Tsanev, head of the Energy Efficiency Center Foundation "EnEffect", there are fundamental problems in the approach to distributing nearly 5 billion euros from the European Climate Fund.
The expert emphasizes that currently there is no precise mechanism for determining energy-poor Bulgarian families. Forecasts indicate that the planned 1.6 billion levs for renovation of multi-family residential buildings will reach only 2.5% of affected households, with a total number of over one million people in need.
A key problem, according to Tsanev, is the continuing centralized management model. Institutions implement programs without real participation of property owners, which inevitably compromises the effectiveness of interventions.
For the first time in the national program, renovation of single-family homes is planned - a sector that concentrates the largest number of energy-poor citizens. Nevertheless, identifying exactly which owners need support remains a challenge.
Among the positive aspects of the program, Tsanev highlights the planned replacement of windows, doors, and the implementation of thermal insulation solutions. Additionally, the installation of heat pump systems is envisaged, which can significantly improve energy efficiency.
The expert's main message is categorical: effective energy programs require mandatory household participation. Those families with financial capacity must be actively involved in the process, which will ensure a more fair and targeted distribution of funds.
The program has been consulted with the European Commission and numerous non-governmental organizations, but the identified deficits continue to create serious challenges for effective energy renovation.
Dragomir Tsanev sends a clear signal to the responsible institutions: a fundamental review and rethinking of the approach to energy efficiency is necessary, with a focus on the real needs of Bulgarian households.