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 is objecting to proposals that would extend restrictions beyond the existing Natura 2000 network. BGWEA is urging authorities to revise the proposed rules.
Proposed exclusion zones for wind projects
Under the draft approach, wind projects could be prohibited on agricultural and forest land within 6 kilometers of bird-protection areas classified as high risk. A separate limit would apply within 2 kilometers of medium-risk sites. BGWEA warns that the exclusion zones could cover significant parts of Dobrudzha, the Eastern Rhodopes and Burgas province.
The association argues that the proposed restrictions depend too much on administrative boundaries rather than detailed, site-specific assessments of habitats and environmental sensitivity. BGWEA says a more targeted method would enable project-by-project evaluation based on actual environmental impact. It contrasts this with applying broad exclusion zones across wider areas.
Legal basis and request to revise assessment reports
BGWEA has also questioned the legal basis for several measures included in the environmental review. The association says the proposals originated in Bulgaria’s 2012–2020 National Renewable Energy Action Plan, which is no longer in force. BGWEA is calling for the environmental assessment and appropriate assessment reports to be revised before authorities issue a final opinion on the updated plan.
The issue was raised at European level in July, when BGWEA contacted the European Commission’s energy and climate departments as well as WindEurope. The association warned that overly restrictive rules could discourage investment across renewable generation and other sectors requiring access to competitively priced clean electricity, including manufacturing, data centers and green hydrogen.
Installed 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. Since 2013, very little new wind capacity has been commissioned.
Several utility-scale projects are now progressing, with the first new facilities expected to enter operation in 2027.
