Бизнес

As a municipality rich in energy sources, Velingrad was chosen to host the first national seminar under the project "Local Sustainable Energy Planning - Enhancing the Skills of Local Authorities". About 60 representatives of different municipalities gathered on 25 and 26 September at Kamena Hotel to get acquainted with modern ideas in the field of energy planning. These ideas were presented by the English hosts of the seminar by the UK Ministry of International Development and the company "ESD", which works on energy efficiency projects in 9 European countries.

During the first day of the seminar the participants learned about the project goals and the results already achieved in Sapareva Banya and Kocherinovo. The second day was held as an energy planning training at district and municipal level.
Velingrad is one of the three pilot municipalities in which specialists from ESD will assess the energy resources. Their work on data collection and analysis begins in late October and early November, and concrete results will be available for up to 1 year. This was announced by Deputy Mayor Angel Toporchev, who recalled that for a year and a half the municipality has mobilized many forces to prove its energy potential and the desire to absorb local geothermal sources. If a geothermal plant is built in Velingrad, it will change the quality of life and tourism in the city, while also improving the environmental situation. "Our intentions are to sell the clean air of Velingrad and against receiving loans from the World Bank under the so-called "carbon loan", Mr. Toporchev said. At first we started using the waters from the river. Chepinska for microvets. Work plans are now ready for the first microvite - Dolene 1, which the municipality makes jointly with the company "Stobog". Along the river, another 5 microwatts are planned, the investments pledged are 18 million leva, and the implementation period is from 6 to 8 years with a total installed capacity of 11.3 megawatts. According to Mr. Toporchev at today's prices of el. The energy receipts from the microvets for 30 years will be about 166 million leva.
The participants in the seminar were convinced that energy planning is the only alternative in the modern world. It is important, however, that the Bulgarian legislation becomes similar to the European one by giving more independence to the local authorities in the use of geothermal springs - a condition without which ideas will remain only unfulfilled dreams.
Elena Baeva