Introduction
Bulgaria is a country that is located on the Southeastern part of Europe where it borders Romania to the North, Greece and Turkey to the South, Serbia and Macedonia to the West and the Black sea to the East. The country is among the largest countries in Europe with an approximate territory of 110,994 square kilometers. The country energy consumption is dependent on renewable and non-renewable energy sources in the country. Although the country is not rich in natural fuels like other countries in Europe it has been able to tap into its energy sources to provide affordable energy sources for the country’s citizens. Energy is crucial in home and industrial use as it facilitates production of goods and services in an economy. Energy in Bulgaria has been instrumental in production, consumption and trade among its neighbors in the Balkans and the whole of the Southeastern part of Europe. This paper seeks to understand the sources of energy of Bulgaria and the role played by energy in Bulgaria in its quest to economic growth and stability (Dooley 45).
Bulgaria Energy sources and production
The country has embarked on a production drive that will see the country produce both renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Some of the energy sources in Bulgaria include hydropower, thermal power, nuclear power, coal mining, wind energy, hydroelectric power among other alternatives sources like solar energy. Nuclear power in Bulgaria accounts for more than 22% of power production. This power production has made the country advance in industrial production due to enough energy production that steers growth. Due to the country’s geographical location in Europe It serves a transit hub for oil and gas energy from Russia to the Balkan region and the Western part of Europe. Bulgaria is a major producer and exporter of hydroelectric power in Europe where it supplies the local market and exports it to other Balkan countries.
Bulgaria energy production
(Source: Bulgaria energy production 2005)
Investment in Energy
Bulgaria has invested heavily on renewable energy sources in a move to safeguard the environment and the growing industries in the country. Renewable energies have set the future of many developed and developing countries in the world after findings reveal that non-renewable energy sources are polluting the environment and there is need to invest in renewable energy sources. Bulgaria is among some of the countries around the world to adopt the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan that is geared towards saving the energy consumed in the country. The target sectors in the economy include transport, residential, industry and services sectors. This action plan is geared towards improving the use of energy sources in the country and encouraging the use of renewable sources of energy like hydroelectric power, solar power, geothermal power and wind power. The plan was implemented in 2011 and runs up to 2016 that will see Bulgaria adopt an energy saving action plan that will improve efficiency in energy consumption (Experience of International Organizations in Promoting Energy Efficiency 12-18).
Bulgaria water sources
Bulgaria is bordered to the East by the Black sea that provides sea route to the Balkan region in Europe. This water resource has been instrumental in transport and in production of energy like nuclear which requires a large quantity of water in production of electricity. Despite the Danube water resource serving the country; it still lacks enough water for home and industrial use. The future projection of the country is to conserve water resources and use available water wisely without wastage and recycling efforts have been adopted in many homes and industries. Studies have been carried out with the help of the European Union and the government of Bulgaria for future water sources that will sustain the economic development in the country and the population. Provision for safe drinking water is a priority of the Bulgarian government towards its citizens.
Air Concerns in Bulgaria
Air pollution is a major concern among different leaders in the world today. Bulgaria has adopted an environmentally friendly mechanism that will see how industries and homes use cleaner energy sources in a move to avoid air pollution. Emissions from industries are controlled by an act that punishes excessive emission of CO2 and other emissions directly into the atmosphere. The government has been on the fore front in advocating for safe energy sources that have little emissions into the atmosphere. Environmental protection in Bulgaria has been going on for quite some time in a drive geared towards protection of air and water sources in the country for the sustainability of the human race on earth (Fräss-Ehrfeld 68).
Global warming
Global warming is one of the current issues in the world today and it has been discussed in details through forums created by governments and non-governmental organizations. The effect of global has affected the weather pattern sin most countries and Bulgaria is one of them as climates changes and this affect the agricultural sector. Provision of sufficient food in the country is influenced by prevailing climatic conditions and these have been affected by global warming. There is a need to device new ways to tackle global warming on a global level. The future of life on earth depends on how we tackle global warming and how people will be able to sustain their existence if the effect of global warming continues.
Work cited
Dooley, Brendan M. Energy and Culture: Perspectives on the Power to Work. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2006. Print.
Experience of International Organizations in Promoting Energy Efficiency: Bulgaria. New York: UN, 2005. Print.
Fräss-Ehrfeld, Clarisse. Renewable Energy Sources: A Chance to Combat Climate Change. Austin: Wolters Kluwer, Law & Business, 2009. Print.
