A public hearing was held at the Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for the draft Plan for Designating Priority Zones for the Development of Wind Power Generation Facilities.

The plan is being developed pursuant to Article 5 of the Renewable Energy Sources Act by the Minister of Environment and Water in collaboration with the Minister of Energy, the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, the Minister of Transport and Communications, and the Minister of Agriculture and Food. Its objective is to identify areas where the generation of electricity from wind energy is not expected to have a significant impact on the environment, while at the same time creating conditions for the accelerated development of renewable energy sources. In developing the Plan, consideration was given to both the technical possibilities for wind energy development and the need to protect the environment and biodiversity.

Representatives of the Association of Thermal Power Equipment Manufacturers, the Bulgarian Gas Association, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Bulgarian Wind Energy Association, “Vetrocom” Ltd., “Rendzhen” Ltd., the municipalities of Svoge, Simitli, Valchi Dol, Breznik, and Apriltsi, the Pernik Regional Administration, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, the “Podkrepa” Trade Union Confederation, the associations “For a Clean Dobruzha” and “Natureand Life,” the VMRO, and the “Zadruga for the Preservation of Bulgaria” Association, as well as other stakeholders.

The Ministry of Environment and Water, in collaboration with representatives of the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Executive Forestry Agency, and the Electricity System Operator EAD, as well as the team that developed the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, presented the results of the work carried out on the draft Plan and its environmental impact assessment.

In determining the priority zones, protected areas and protected territories within the National Ecological Network, sensitive areas for biodiversity conservation, bird migration routes, forested areas, permanent grassland areas, and other areas with environmental restrictions were excluded. The zones were identified based on two criteria: the presence of sufficient wind potential and the feasibility of connecting to the power transmission grid.

In accordance with the requirements of the Renewable Energy Sources Act, the Plan is subject to an environmental assessment under the Environmental Protection Act and a compatibility assessment under the Biodiversity Act. As part of the mandatory environmental assessment procedure, an Environmental Assessment Report was prepared, analyzing and evaluating the likely impacts of the Plan’s implementation on the environment and human health.

The public consultation that took place is part of the environmental assessment procedure. Comments, opinions, and suggestions were submitted, which will be considered during the course of the procedure and when preparing the necessary documentation for the adoption of the Plan in accordance with the relevant legal procedures.