Wind Energy Facts & Figures

Wind Energy Facts & Figures

• Studies carried out in Bulgaria for evaluating the power-production potential of wind energy have demonstrated very promising renewable development opportunities. Bulgaria is one of the top countries identified for wind energy development (3,400 MW mid term potential)

• According to the Ministry of Economy and Energy the wind potential conditions are especially advantageous along the Black Sea costal line and in areas with an altitude above 1000 meters.

• The 2003 Energy Acts chapter eleven regulating Renewable Energy Sources (RES) production in Bulgaria states mandatory purchasing of energy from renewable energy sources, which practically means that if a wind farm is properly registered the public suppliers/providers are obligated to purchase the full amount produced

• The Bulgarian government adopted The Encouragement of Investment Act, setting forth preferential treatment measures for investments meeting certain criterias specified in the law. Obtaining the classification of 1st class investments means that the projects are supported in terms of construction of infrastructure, purchase of land from the government and fast processing of licenses.

• The European Bank for Regional Development (EBRD) underlines in an analysis of the Bulgarian wind energy sector that the main advantage apart from the existing wind potential is the supportive government with a pro-active regulatory approach.

• A National Long-Term Programme for Encouraging Renewable Energy, stating that by 2010 a total of 8 per cent of the gross power generation should be generated by renewable sources and should reach 9 per cent by 2015, has recently been approved.

• The market access for both investors and exploiters is relatively transparent