Slavcho Neikov: The lack of an energy strategy slows down Bulgaria's transition

Bozhidara Zhivkova, Dir.bg

The Central and Eastern Europe region is characterized by its dependence on coal and nuclear power for electricity generation. This makes the balance between environmental goals and energy security difficult to achieve.

Topics related to the energy transformation will be widely discussed during the fourth edition of the largest and most significant high-level meeting for the Green Deal in Central and Eastern Europe "Green Transition Forum 4.0: The new perspectives for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)"… This year's forum will bring together over 2,500 participants from over 18 countries, including three European Commissioners, over 20 ministers from the CEE region, political figures, business leaders and the academic community.

Participate in the largest discussion about the green transition in Central and Eastern Europe - Green Transition Forum 4.0, Sofia June 26-28, 2024

In the panel on the opportunities and challenges in the future of the energy transformation, which will be led by the Chairman of the Institute for Energy Management Slavcho Neykov, the Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov will take part; Victor Parlikov, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Moldova; Matthew Baldwin, Deputy Director General in DG Energy at the European Commission; Prof. Dr. Ivan Ivanov, Chairman of the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (EWRC); Karel Kral, CEO of Elektrohold Bulgaria Group and Rob Dobbins, Head of International Relations and Asset Management at OMV Petrom.

The "Green Transition 4.0 event" will also outline European and global trends related to energy transformation. In principle, there is an unwritten rule in energy, and that is that all member countries share common goals, but have individual problems," commented Mr. Neikov during an interview with the editor-in-chief of the media partner of the forum ESGnews.bg Bozhidara Zhivkova.

According to Slavcho Neikov, Bulgaria has no problems from the point of view of operational work in the energy sector - neither with the security of supply, nor with regard to electricity or gas. In the context of prices, we also have acceptable prices and a perfectly functioning regulator, he believes.

Learn about the challenges and opportunities of the green transition - Green Transition Forum 4.0

"This well-functioning system at the operational level is mainly due to business and some institutions. If we look at things in their perspective, which must be set at the political level, we have several problems. I will start with the energy strategy. The effective energy strategy expired in 2020. It was out of date years before, and from the point of view of the dynamics of the development of the energy sector, the need for a new strategic look is more than urgent," the expert is emphatic.

He pointed out that a few months ago there was a draft energy strategy, but due to the political changes in the country, the topic remained in the background.

"The political role is very important, because the strategy is prepared by the minister, approved by the Council of Ministers, but accepted by the parliament," he added.

According to him, the second problem is the fluctuations that have been observed in the last few months in the sector.

"We had set out to liberalize, we blocked it. It turned out that coal was going away for political reasons, they started giving them injections, which also led to social tension. A very important issue that is left aside is the issue of energy poverty, which does not is a national, European and even global problem. In Bulgaria, a definition was made and things ended. There is some internal inter-institutional and inter-political struggle over who should not deal with the issue of energy poverty," explained Slavcho Neykov.

Don't miss the biggest and most important conference on the Green Deal "Green Transition Forum 4.0: The new perspectives for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)" to learn the most interesting about the energy evolution and the future of the energy sector in the CEE region, organized by Dir.bg and 3E-news. The conference will be held from June 26 to 28, and representatives of more than 18 countries will speak from the conference stages in the Sofia Event Center, with a total of more than 2,500 participants, of which more than 750 top managers, will hold the key conversation for tomorrow's world.

Be part of the conversation for a greener future

The event is organized by Dir.bg and 3E-news in partnership with ACT Commodities, ProCredit Bank, Visa, European Investment Bank, Elektrohold, Yettel, Artex Engineering AD, UBB, Geotechmin, Energeo, Aurubis Bulgaria, Kozloduy NPP, Bulgarian Stock Exchange, UniCredit Bulbank, MET Energy Trading Bulgaria, Dundee Precious Metals, FLAG Fund, Bulgarian Development Bank, ICGB, The Oil and Gas Employers" Federation, Glavbolgarstroy, Electricity System Operator, Bulgartransgaz, Fund of Funds, Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD, , Westinghouse, Philip Morris Bulgaria, BMF Port Burgas AD, Information Service AD, Bulgarian Association "Natural Gas".

Green Transition 2024 is implemented with the media support of BNT, BTA, BNR, bTV Media Group, Darik Radio, Darik Business Review, Euroactive, Economic.bg, ESGnews.bg and The Recursive.