TO 6 - Protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency

The transition to sustainable energy is a major challenge for any Bulgarian municipality. Local authorities own and maintain a large number of buildings. The local governments are responsible for the reducing of energy consumption in public buildings. They are in charge of realizing the process of transition to renewable energy. Over 90% of the public buildings in Nessebar Municipality are old, characterized by a low level of energy efficiency. Some of these old buildings are part of the cultural heritage which puts forward the need to maintain these premises in the way inherent to their cultural heritage value. The Municipality of Nessebar implements gradually the basic energy efficiency measures and introduces renewable energy sources /RES/ in some of the buildings owned and occupied by the local authority. In the process of selecting the type of renewable energy, a need for high-quality assistance was identified in determining the possible local renewable energy sources generating high added value. The study of the applicable renewable energy sources for the territory of the municipality, their pilot introduction, along with other energy efficiency measures in public and municipal buildings, the reporting of learned lessons and successes will stimulate the local community to engage in the transition to sustainable energy.