Round Table “Sprint Towards Sustainable Grids”

(Triaditsa Hall, Grand Hotel Sofia, 15 May 2025)

The Energy Management Institute (EMI) is organising a round table discussion dedicated to one of the most important issues for the successful energy transition in Bulgaria and Europe – the need to ensure accelerated investments in electricity grid infrastructure as a prerequisite for widespread and effective electrification of industry, transport, and heating, for the integration of RES, and simultaneously – as a response to increasing geopolitical, climate, and cyber threats.

The event will take place as part of the celebration of the 15^th anniversary of EMI and will bring together experts, institutions, and businesses in a joint effort to find solutions to one of the greatest challenges facing the energy sector today.

The round table will be held on 15 May 2025 at Grand Hotel Sofia, Triaditsa Hall.

 KEY DISCUSSION TOPICS:

• Do we clearly recognize the urgent need to catch up with investments in the electricity distribution grid to ensure the green transition and security of supply?
• What political and regulatory goals need to be defined and pursued at the institutional level to accelerate the development of grid infrastructure? Are bold strategic investments enough to close the gaps?
• To what extent does the overall business environment in Bulgaria encourage new investments in the electricity sector? Do we need a new paradigm for the distribution grid?
• How can we overcome administrative barriers to grid investments, and what is the cost of delayed green development?
• Is there state willingness to financially support targeted projects for accelerated and synchronized digitalization of the transmission and distribution networks?

Participants in the discussion will include representatives from the Energy Committee of the National Assembly, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Environment and Water, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, grid companies, energy and RES associations, organizations related to electromobility development, the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria, chambers of commerce, employer organizations, and energy experts.

 The round table is open to media. The official languages are Bulgarian and English, with simultaneous interpretation provided.

CONTEXT:

The European institutions have declared 2025 the year of grids and energy security. The four strategic initiatives of the European Commission (Clean Industry Deal, Affordable Energy Action Plan, State Aid Framework, and Simplification Omnibus Packages) along with the European Parliament’s Grid INI Report have sent a strong signal to Member States about the need to build a new paradigm for grid development.

Over the last decade, public and private investments have been focused primarily on new RES capacities, while grid development has lagged critically behind. Strong and modern grids are the essential high-speed and reliable highways through which all market participants communicate – and without which a successful energy transition is not possible.