The government is taking decisive steps towards large-scale energy modernization of the housing stock, guaranteeing fully funded repairs for Bulgarian citizens. In an exclusive interview with BTV, Deputy Minister of Regional Development Dora Yankova presented the details of the ambitious national strategy.
The main goal of the initiative is to achieve a 60% renovation of residential buildings by 2050, which will contribute to a significant reduction in energy costs. The government plans a large-scale program that covers various social groups, including rural residents and single people.
Currently, around 2,000 residential blocks have already been renovated, with plans to repair an additional 1,038 blocks under the National Recovery Plan, with an investment of 1.134 billion leva. Additionally, 129 multi-family residential buildings in the coal regions of Pernik, Kyustendil, and Stara Zagora will be renovated through grants from the Just Transition Fund.
A key point in the program is financing - 2.5 billion leva will be allocated from the state budget by 2029. In parallel, a new program is being prepared with funds from the Social Climate Fund, which provides for energy modernization of buildings with a total built-up area of around 1.6 billion square meters.
Special attention will be paid to energy-poor households. Criteria are being developed to determine which families will receive completely free repairs, based on income, heating bills, and housing characteristics.
Yankova emphasized the importance of quality construction supervision and control, with responsibility to be delegated to homeowners' associations. She shared that there was initially a risk of losing funding due to delays, but through intensive work with the European Commission and municipalities, the program has been saved.
Some households can save up to 12,000 leva from this large-scale project. The Ministry is working closely with the Bulgarian Development Bank to ensure maximum efficiency and transparency of the process.
The ultimate goal of the initiative is not only energy efficiency but also improving the quality of life for Bulgarian citizens through modernization of the housing environment and reducing utility service costs.