BGWEA challenges environmental review of the 2024 National Energy and Climate Plan
The Bulgarian Wind Energy Association (BGWEA) says it has concerns about measures included in the environmental review of Bulgaria’s updated National Energy and Climate Plan for 2024. The association objects in particular to proposals that would extend restrictions beyond the existing Natura 2000 network. BGWEA is urging authorities to revise the proposed rules.
Under the draft approach, wind projects could be prohibited on agricultural and forest land within six kilometers of bird-protection areas classified as high risk. The same framework would also apply within two kilometers of medium-risk sites. BGWEA warns that the exclusion zones could cover significant parts of Dobrudzha, the Eastern Rhodopes and Burgas province.
Site-by-site assessment vs administrative boundary exclusions
BGWEA argues that the proposed restrictions depend too heavily on administrative boundaries rather than detailed, site-specific assessments of habitats and environmental sensitivity. The association says projects should be evaluated based on their actual environmental impact instead of using broad exclusion zones.
The association also questions the legal basis for several measures included in the proposals. BGWEA says they originated in Bulgaria’s 2012–2020 National Renewable Energy Action Plan, which is no longer in force. It is calling for the environmental assessment and appropriate assessment reports to be revised before authorities issue a final opinion on the updated plan.
European outreach in July and implications for clean electricity demand
BGWEA raised the issue at European level in July, when it contacted the European Commission’s energy and climate departments as well as WindEurope. The association warned that overly restrictive rules could discourage investment across multiple sectors. It cited renewable generation as well as manufacturing, data centers and green hydrogen.
BGWEA said these industries rely on access to competitively priced clean electricity. The association’s concern was linked to how the proposed environmental restrictions could affect new power development and related investment planning.
Bulgaria’s wind capacity and pipeline timeline
Bulgaria has around 715 MW of installed wind power capacity. Wind generation accounted for approximately 3.1% of the country’s gross electricity production in 2025. BGWEA notes that very little new wind capacity has been commissioned since 2013.
Several utility-scale projects are now progressing, with the first new facilities expected to enter operation in 2027.
