On 17 March, the event “Financing Energy Efficiency: The National Renovation Plan and the Role of Local Authorities” took place as part of the annual conference of the Municipal Energy Efficiency Network EcoEnergy – an associated strategic partner in REHEATEAST. The event was co-organised with EnEffect, with the support of NetZero Cities and Renovate Bulgaria. Participants included representatives of three key ministries – Energy, Regional Development and Public Works, and Environment and Water – as well as local authorities, and representatives of educational, expert, and non-governmental organisations.

The event focused on policies for energy efficiency and the decarbonisation of the building stock. During the opening policy panel, key instruments were presented, including the forthcoming National Building Renovation Plan up to 2050 and the future decarbonisation fund. In this process, REHEATEAST contributes with concrete expert recommendations aimed at a more integrated approach to renovation – including the positioning of building installations as a key element in the planning and implementation of measures.

A dedicated session also featured a transnational workshop with participants from Bulgaria and Romania, creating space for the exchange of experience in the decarbonisation and modernisation of district heating systems.

Special guests included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Paula Unguresan and Prof. Mugur Bălan from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, who presented:
• Romania’s pilot project under REHEATEAST;
• good practices from three different systems, including the Bucharest district heating system – one of the largest in Europe, the geothermal system in Beiuș – an example of a small town with a sustainable solution, and the modernised system in Oradea with a high level of geothermal energy integration.

The session also included an overview of the development of the district heating sector in Bulgaria, as well as the theoretical and technical potential for the use of geothermal energy for district heating purposes.

A special focus was placed on a pilot concept for a decentralised heating installation for a group of multi-family buildings in Gabrovo, developed in the context of the Mission for 100 climate-neutral and smart cities.

The technical session concluded with an active discussion and exchange of ideas between Bulgarian participants and the Romanian guests, addressing both the challenges related to the implementation of these solutions and the opportunities for their adaptation and scaling at a regional level.