Bulgaria plans exploration for geothermal project
City view, Sofia, Bulgaria (source: flickr/ Luca Volpi, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
29 Jul 2021
The Bulgarian government has announced plans for geothermal exploration as part of plans for a geothermal power plant in Northern Bulgaria.
Calling for a comprehensive energy strategy as part of the proposed EU recovery plan calls, Bulgaria has to look at ways to decarbonise its energy sector.
Last week, the interim government in the country published a proposal for funding through the post-covid recovery plan of the EU. The proposal calls for funding of EUR 800 million for Bulgaria’s green energy transition, with the focus being on geothermal, hydrogen and solar roof aid for individual households, so The Mayor.
While a large portion of the funding is earmarked for work on storage, green hydrogen, and solar roofs, the plans for geothermal development are clearly the most interesting for us.
So far – despite relatively good resources – the country has not shown much interest into exploring and utilising its geothermal potential. The now announced proposal is planning to explore the viability of a geothermal power plant in the Northern part of the country. Resources on the site are estimated at a depth of around 4,500-4,800 meters.
As potential locations for the plant, four villages in this part of Bulgaria were identified, two locations around the city of Montana, one near Vratsa and one in Lovech near a planned new electric car manufacturing plant.
Exploratory drilling is planned to be conducted the country’s Technical University in partnership with the Sustainable Energy Development Agency. Funding will also be made available for a research laboratory at the university to support development ambitions.
How far these plans will materialise will have to be seen, as they will have to be confirmed by a new parliament and likely government in the coming months.
Source: The Mayor
