XIX Conference of the Association of Bulgarian Energy Agencies and Centres

On 27 November in Sofia, the XIX Conference of the Association of Bulgarian Energy Agencies and Centres, organised jointly with the Center for Energy Efficiency EnEffect and the National Trust EcoFund (NTEF), brought together key stakeholders from across Bulgaria’s energy and urban development ecosystem — central government, municipalities, industry, academia, and civil society. As one of the flagship national events in the field, the forum has become a platform for dialogue on Bulgaria’s low-carbon transition.

This year, the event carried the motto “Cities in Transformation”, and the opening session set the tone with a strong focus on national policies and strategic directions. International speakers, municipal representatives, and leading experts shared insights on the future of urban energy planning. The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works presented its plans for a new national housing strategy and an updated building renovation programme for 2026, aiming to deliver higher-quality, long-term energy performance and to better integrate energy efficiency with modern building services and heating systems.

The European perspective was presented by representatives of the European Commission and the NetZeroCities team, who emphasised that the future of urban policy lies in integrated investment management and strong local capacity. Participants highlighted that the main barrier to the climate transition is not the lack of technology or funding, but the ability to implement large-scale solutions in coordination with national governments — a challenge that stands at the heart of the work of European institutions.

🔥 Parallel Stakeholder Session: Heating & Cooling, Buildings, and Local Action

In the afternoon, a dedicated stakeholder session focused on the intersection between district heating decarbonisation and building renovation, bringing together technical, regulatory and financing perspectives.

The session highlighted:

·       An overview of the REHEATEAST project and the progress of its pilot actions;

·       Municipal Heating and Cooling Plans – updates on the development of the methodology and its application in Bulgaria (CHAMP project);

·       HeatInvest – where innovation meets collaboration in the just energy transition;

·       The European City Facility (EUCF) and its role in unlocking local investment in sustainable energy;

·       Municipal energy management – costs, benefits, instruments, and practical tools for local governments (LEEAN CET project).

The session concluded with a panel discussion on the experience of local authorities in financing investments in sustainable energy, highlighting practical challenges, successful approaches, and opportunities for mobilising new funding instruments at the local level. The panel session underscored a central message that accelerating the energy transition requires strong partnerships, informed local decision-making, and access to innovative financing mechanisms.

More information: https://www.eneffect.bg/bg/news/1390/nova-zilishhna-strategiia-i-plan-za-sanirane-na-sgradniia-fond-predvizda-mrrb-za-2026-g