All funds saved for energy renovation of residential buildings

More than 2.5 million levs have already been paid to municipalities

‘After hard work involving both the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and Deputy Prime Minister Donchev, I can say that the funds under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) for energy renovation of housing have been saved.’ This was stated by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Ivanov after the meeting of the Council of Ministers today.

One part of the funds under the Plan remain in the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, while another part has been agreed with the European Commission to be transferred to the Bulgarian Development Bank. The PMS will vote on them next week, the minister explained. Contracts are currently being signed, with 718 under Stage I, and payments are being made to municipalities with selected contractors and started construction and installation works. So far, 2.5 million levs have been paid under the first stage.

In the second phase, 90 contracts were signed. They will be transferred to the BDB. They will be 100% financed, i.e. entirely by the RRP, Minister Ivanov explained.  By the end of 2029, we expect more than BGN 4 billion to be invested in the energy renovation of homes. This will affect a large number of Bulgarian citizens with activities that will help reduce their electricity and heating bills.

“We have made every effort to complete the RRP and I am sure that this year we will have the first buildings in operation, and in March next year those managed by the MRDPW will be ready. Minister Ivanov thanked the team in the Ministry and the Council of Ministers for the successful negotiations with the EC in order to save all funds under the RRP. "This is an extraordinary success after this failure we found and the risk of losing almost all funds. Our efforts have been successful", stressed the Minister.

The Regional Minister reported on the implementation of the first National Programme for Energy Efficiency of Multifamily Residential Buildings. So far, 99.9% of all buildings with existing financing contracts have started activities under it. Construction and installation works were carried out on more than 131 thousand dwellings, the improved housing infrastructure is over 11 million square meters, the benefited citizens are 279 362 people. The disbursed funds amount to over BGN 1.9 billion, Minister Ivanov emphasized. This first program is progressing towards a successful completion, he pointed out.