Bulgaria requires an urgent and large-scale acceleration in wind energy development, including the addition of around 6 to 7 gigawatts of new capacity, in order to offset growing solar generation and ensure a balanced electricity system. This assessment was presented by former Acting Environment and Water Minister Julian Popov during the seventeenth edition of the Green and Energy Forum, where he outlined structural gaps in the country's energy transition.

Popov said Bulgaria is currently lagging behind in wind energy deployment, with several key projects delayed or blocked due to claims about environmental risks, particularly concerning bird populations. He argued that such concerns are often not supported by sufficient evidence and are slowing down critical investment decisions in the sector.

?Bulgaria urgently needs accelerated development of wind energy and the construction of new 6-7 gigawatts of wind power capacity,? Popov said, stressing that faster expansion is essential to maintain stability in the energy system and support long-term planning.

He warned that without rapid progress, neighboring countries such as Greece and Romania are likely to expand their own generation capacity more quickly, which could reduce Bulgaria's role in the regional electricity market. In such a scenario, Bulgaria risks shifting from a net producer to an electricity importer. Popov also pointed out that coal is expected to be phased out of the national energy mix by around 2030, increasing pressure to develop alternative sources.

During the forum, he emphasized that Bulgaria's current renewable energy growth is largely driven by private investment, particularly in the solar sector and increasingly in battery storage projects. However, he said wind energy still faces regulatory and public resistance, limiting its development compared to other technologies.

According to Popov, unlocking wind power potential is essential not only for domestic energy security but also for ensuring Bulgaria retains a competitive position in the regional energy landscape as the transition to low-carbon generation accelerates.