In-depth Reviews of Energy Efficiency Policies and Programmes of Bulgaria and Romania

The Energy Charter Secretariat has published the “In-depth Reviews of Energy Efficiency Policies and Programmes of Bulgaria and Romania”, which were realised with the assistance of the director of Energy-Strategies, Wolfgang F. Lutz in September 2001 and April 2002 respectively. The reports provide detailed insights in the efforts of the respective Governments to promote energy efficiency in an environment of gradual energy market liberalisation and preparation for accession to the European Union.

The following statement from the in-depth review of Bulgaria characterises a situation not uncommon in Central European countries in transition:

“… while gradually progressing in increasing energy efficiency and improving environmental protection, Bulgaria has reached a critical phase in these efforts, which is characterised by the need to achieve the steps: (i) from policy formulation to implementation, (ii) from a focus on supply side efficiency to the demand side, (iii) from isolated energy efficiency projects to coherent programmes, (iv) from diversity of institutions to an effective coordination of this diversity – while safeguarding the importance of energy efficiency within overall energy policy and institutional setting, and (v) from almost exclusive funding from international and bilateral donors to dedicated state budgets and specific financing instruments.”

Specific issues raised in the in-depth review of Romania refer to i.a. (i) the need to integrate end-use energy efficiency in a more balanced way in the ongoing energy market reforms, in Government policies and programmes and the completion of energy efficiency legislation and effective implementation of existing and new regulations, (ii) securing the financing of the ambitious programmes of the Government in the residential and district heating sectors, (iii) improved communication between market actors and the Government and (iv) the better integration between energy efficiency and environmental policies.

In-depth reviews of energy efficiency policies and programmes of signatory states of the Energy Charter are carried out on a peer basis, in a process of periodic reviews established by the Energy Charter Working Group on Energy Efficiency and Related Environmental Aspects. The aim of the in-depth reviews is to assess progress made by countries in implementing their commitments under the Energy Charter Protocol on Energy Efficiency and Related Environmental Aspects (PEEREA) to formulate energy efficiency policies and strategies, to establish appropriate regulatory frameworks, and to develop specific programmes for the promotion of efficient energy use and the reduction of harmful environmental practices in the energy sector.

The reports provide detailed information and a series of recommendations to the Government of the respective country, typically relating to areas like: (i) overall energy efficiency policies and strategies, (ii) the legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks for energy efficiency, (iii) energy pricing, (iv) energy efficiency funding and fiscal policies, (v) the implementation of specific programmes and instruments, (vi) the promotion of renewable energy and cogeneration, (vii) demand-side management and district heating, (viii) data collection and monitoring, (ix) education and information, and (x) energy efficiency and environmental policies.

So far, reports on in-depth reviews in seven countries have been published by the Energy Charter Secretariat, where you can download the reports and order printed copies (Energy Efficiency, Reviews).

The website of the Energy Charter Secretariat also includes the so-called regular country reviews and a series of specific reports on relevant topics like the development of an energy efficiency strategy, energy efficiency financing, fiscal policies for improving energy efficiency and the impacts of market liberalisation on energy efficiency policies and programmes.

Report: “In-depth Review of Energy Efficiency Policies and Programmes of Bulgaria“.

Report: “In-depth Review of Energy Efficiency Policies and Programmes of Romania“.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily coincide with those of the Energy Charter Secretariat or of any of the organisations involved in the review process.

See also previous articles on this site regarding in-depth reviews of energy efficiency policies and programmes of signatory states of the Energy Charter.

July 2002