As the deadline for submitting a draft of the National Building Renovation Plan to the European Commission by the end of 2025 approaches, the risk of our country missing it is also increasing. Bulgaria still does not have a ready document and is lagging behind in its preparations, which calls into question the country's ability to meet the schedule and avoid hasty and ineffective decisions.
The National Conference “Guidelines and Tools for Effective Implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)” brought together experts, politicians and business representatives to discuss the topic.
The forum highlighted not only the benefits of the new rules, but also the increasing risk of Bulgaria missing the important deadlines. This would put us in the familiar situation – haste, lack of consultation with the professional community and solutions that remain on paper, without real implementation.
The National Renovation Plan - the strategic document that should define investments, standards for zero-emission buildings and measures to support households and businesses, is still in its early stages. Experts warned that without coordination between institutions and transparent public discussions, the plan could become another bureaucratic exercise.
„The role of buildings is often underestimated. It is time to talk more often about the effects of implementing the new rules and about the specific measures that can provide better conditions for end users. As a professional community, we must work together and offer sustainable solutions,“ said Dragomir Tsanev, Executive Director of EnEffect.
„Renovation of the building stock is not an end in itself. It is a tool for building a sustainable energy system and achieving social justice. Our main goal is to permanently reduce household bills and overcome energy poverty," said MEP Tsvetelina Penkova.
For his part, Ivaylo Aleksiev, Executive Director of the Agency for Sustainable Energy Development (ASED), outlined two main challenges: “On the one hand, the concept of “zero-emission building“ must be realistic and understandable for everyone, and on the other hand, the preparation of the National Renovation Plan requires the analysis of a huge amount of information. Energy efficiency is a horizontal policy that affects everyone – from households to the construction sector.“
Nearly 85% of buildings in the EU were built before 2000, and 75% of them are energy inefficient. “The new rules are already in force and Member States must prepare their first National Renovation Plans by the end of 2025. The EC support is aimed precisely at building capacity and sharing good practices“, experts stressed.
Although the deadline for the full transposition of the EPBD is May 2026, the first steps must be taken this year. This includes a ready draft of the National Plan and broad public discussions. If this process does not start on time, Bulgaria risks missing the opportunity for building renovation to become an engine of growth and employment.
The next key discussion with the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and the Ministry of Energy is planned for November. The main challenges will be defining priorities in investment policy, introducing a zero-emission building standard, energy performance certificates and minimum renovation requirements.
Detailed statistics on average property prices in Bulgaria by city and neighborhood can be found at imot.bg