Bulgaria has a clear long-term ambition to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix, including hydrogen and biogas. This is what Reneta Koleva, Deputy Minister of Environment and Water said today at the opening of the forum "Day of the Manager for Sustainable Development and Environment in South East Europe", organized by the Association for Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection in Sofia. The discussion on "Hydrogen - the low carbon industry of the future" was opened by the coordinator of the association, eng. Heiko Schmidt, who is also the Honorary Consul of Bulgaria in Saxony, Germany.

Deputy Minister Koleva reminded that as of April Bulgaria has a Hydrogen Roadmap. The aim of the document is to create the basis for an efficient, smooth, and consistent introduction of technologies for the production, transportation, and use of hydrogen in the industry, energy, transport and households, as well as to create favorable conditions for innovation and investment.

"Successful adaptation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions requires close cooperation and joint action between the state and local governments, the business, NGOs, and academia. Action is therefore needed to build resilient societies. Adequate, timely, and well-informed decisions need to be taken to address the challenges of climate change, but at the same time to be able to take advantage of the opportunities it presents. Achieving climate neutrality goes hand in hand with our efforts to ensure the security and affordability of energy supplies for citizens and businesses,” said Reneta Koleva. The 2030 Adaptation Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria provides the framework to guide local and national institutions to take action on climate change adaptation at the relevant levels and sectors.

Only 20 countries in the world have so-called hydrogen valleys, and Bulgaria is one of the first to support the implementation of such a project for the industry. The hydrogen valley project will be implemented in the Maritsa basin. It is one of only 37 similar projects in these 20 countries and one of 9 Horizon Europe projects for which the European Commission provides co-funding.