Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 08/2014

Bulgaria Energy Sector

Boyko Nitzov, Ruslan Stefanov, Valentina Nikolova, Dobromir Hristov

April 2010

Atlantic Council

Abstract

In this Eurasia Center issue brief, Boyko Nitzov, Director of Programs of the Atlantic Council’s Patriciu Eurasia Center and a team of experts (Ruslan Stefanov, Valentina Nikolova, and Dobromir Hristov) from the Center for the Study of Democracy in Sofia, Bulgaria, provide sector review, findings and recommendations about energy in Bulgaria in response to the need to enhance energy security and develop consistent sustainable energy policies.

The broader Black Sea-Caspian region is the world’s nexus of energy and geopolitics. The band of countries stretching from Eastern Europe to Inner Asia presents some of the greatest opportunities and most daunting challenges for energy development, transport and economic growth. As a member of both EU and NATO, Bulgaria finds itself increasingly involved in broader regional, Eurasian, and transatlantic aspects of the energy sector. The issue brief looks at both challenges and opportunities and suggests ways to enhance competition, improve governance, and promote a sustainable energy agenda.