Bulgaria assesses Energy and Climate Plan’s potential impact on protected areas - EXCLUSIVE
The environmental assessment of Bulgaria’s updated Integrated Energy and Climate Plan for 2021–2030 has not yet been completed, and no final decision has been issued by the competent authority.
This was said by the source in the Ministry of Environment and Water of the Republic of Bulgaria, in an exclusive interview with CE Report.
The updated plan is subject to a mandatory environmental assessment under Chapter Six of Bulgaria’s Environmental Protection Act, as well as an assessment of its compatibility with the subject matter and conservation objectives of protected areas within the Natura 2000 ecological network.
The assessment was carried out by independent consultants meeting the requirements of Article 83 of the Environmental Protection Act. As part of the procedure, a report was also prepared assessing the potential impact of the plan on Natura 2000 sites, in accordance with Article 6(3) of the EU Habitats Directive.
According to the ministry source, the report was prepared by experts with the required qualifications and professional experience in the conservation of natural habitats, species and their habitats in protected areas.
The experts identified potential negative impacts from the implementation of renewable energy projects on protected areas and their protected features, including possible cumulative effects from projects included in the plan and projects already implemented.
The Integrated Energy and Climate Plan covers a broad range of energy-related projects and technologies. These include wind energy, hydropower, photovoltaic plants, district heating and nuclear power, geothermal energy, biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels, as well as gas and electricity transmission systems.
The proposed measures in the Natura 2000 Impact Assessment Report, which forms an integral part of the Environmental Assessment Report, are intended to reduce the level of impact on protected areas and the species and habitats they protect. The measures therefore concern not only wind energy projects.
The ministry said consultations and public discussions with the public, relevant authorities and third parties were conducted within the legally established deadlines. The opinions received are currently being reviewed and evaluated, and the process remains ongoing.
The procedure will continue with a meeting of an environmental expert council, followed as a final step by the competent authority issuing an environmental assessment opinion. No such opinion has been issued so far.
During the consultation process, numerous opinions were submitted both in support of the proposed measures to reduce negative environmental impacts and against certain measures and restrictions.
All comments and opinions received during the consultations and public discussion will be taken into consideration by the Ministry of Environment and Water. The proposed mitigation measures included in the reports will also be further analysed as part of the ongoing coordination procedure.
The ministry emphasized that the Integrated Energy and Climate Plan is a strategic document developed in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.
At the same time, the environmental assessment of the plan does not eliminate the obligation to carry out separate environmental assessments for individual investment projects implemented in pursuit of the policies and objectives established by the plan.
The ministry source stressed that the purpose of the environmental assessment is not to block the development of wind energy in Bulgaria.
Rather, the aim is to establish a clear, predictable and legally sustainable framework that can encourage investment, facilitate permitting procedures in appropriate areas and ensure effective protection of Bulgaria’s natural heritage.
The Natura 2000 Impact Assessment Report provides a detailed analysis of potential impacts on natural habitats, different groups of animal species, including birds and bats, as well as the integrity of protected areas, their structure, functions and conservation objectives.
In line with the Habitats Directive and European policies aimed at protecting the Natura 2000 network, independent experts have proposed measures to limit impacts on protected areas and their conservation objectives and to preserve ecological connectivity.
According to the ministry, these measures and restrictions have been applied for 10 years and have proven effective. During that period, no loss of habitats or species habitats, disruption of populations or damage to the integrity of protected areas has been identified.
The ministry also pointed to the recently adopted Plan for the Identification of Priority Areas for the Development of Sites for the Production of Electricity from Wind Energy, approved by the Council of Ministers in implementation of Directive (EU) 2023/2413.
According to the source, the measures and restricted areas used as criteria for excluding certain territories in that
Photo: Chat GPT
This interview was prepared by Laura Hoffman
