CSD Policy Brief No. 22: The Energy Sector of Bulgaria
CSD Policy Brief No. 22: The Energy Sector of Bulgaria

Author(s): Boyko Nitzov, Ruslan Stefanov, Valentina Nikolova, Dobromir Hristov
Subject(s): Energy and Environmental Studies, Economic policy, Environmental and Energy policy
Published by: Център за изследване на демокрацията
Summary/Abstract: Energy security in Central-Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region is fraught with risks. By virtue of its geography, Bulgaria finds itself in a difficult nexus, drawn into Eurasia’s contentious energy geopolitics and as a European Union member, involved in the Union’s fragmented energy policy and complex regulatory, energy efficiency and climate change objectives. That position is challenging, but it also presents decision-makers in Sofia with opportunities. The EU-backed Energy Community, of which Bulgaria is a member, seeks to foster regional cooperation in the Balkans and around the Black Sea, but is stymied by geopolitical questions such as Turkey’s EU membership prospects and Russia’s assertive energy strategy within the EU. On the other hand, Bulgaria is actively involved in geopolitics due to the country’s almost 100 percent dependence on imported gas from Russia through one pipeline, which forces it into seeking answers to the questions. Bulgaria imports about 75% of its primary energy resources (oil, gas, nuclear fuel, coal) from Russia.

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