Bulgaria has called on the European Union to review how carbon pricing affects energy-intensive industries while accelerating investment in electricity networks, energy storage and digital infrastructure. The request was made in the context of an informal meeting of the EU Competitiveness Council in Dublin. Deputy Minister of Economy, Investment and Industry Krasimir Yakimov said the European Commission should carry out a broad assessment of the EU Emissions Trading System and its impact on industrial competitiveness.
ETS impact assessment and industrial competitiveness
Yakimov’s remarks reflect concern among coal-dependent and manufacturing-oriented EU economies about carbon costs rising faster than the infrastructure needed for industrial decarbonisation. He noted that high EUA prices can encourage investment in cleaner production. At the same time, he said companies may find it harder to absorb those costs when they do not have access to competitive low-carbon electricity, grid connections or sufficient system flexibility.
Priority status for grid, storage and permitting
Yakimov proposed that electricity networks be granted the status of infrastructure of primary economic importance. He said this could support faster permitting and investment approval for transmission, distribution and storage projects. The aim is to reduce bottlenecks affecting renewable generation and industrial electrification.
Bulgaria’s approach links grid investment with carbon pricing rather than treating them as separate policy areas. It argues that a stronger network would enable greater use of renewable electricity, reduce congestion and support electrification of industrial heat and production processes. The proposal also highlights storage and demand-side flexibility as tools for industrial users to manage exposure to volatile hourly electricity prices.
Regulatory framework for energy-intensive sectors
Bulgaria argued that climate policy should strengthen the European industrial base rather than contribute to energy-intensive production moving outside the EU. It said the transition requires a predictable regulatory framework, better access to finance and clearer support for investments in energy efficiency, electrification and flexibility. The position was presented as relevant to metals, chemicals, fertilisers, cement and other industries exposed to both EU ETS costs and international competition.
As CBAM moves deeper into its definitive financial phase, Bulgaria said these sectors will increasingly rely on long-term electricity procurement, grid-access certainty and credible decarbonisation plans.
