Bulgaria is heavily dependent on fossil fuels and nuclear energy, which represent approx. 96% of country's primary energy supply. Although Bulgaria has a significant potential for renewable energy generation, the share of renewables in total primary energy supply and electricity generation is negligible.

During the first Congress for energy efficiency in 2005, state authority representatives stressed on the Government's involvement in EE and RES issues and placed great emphasis on the development of country's natural resources and efforts to limit the dependence of foreign fuel imports.

Positive impetus came from the second Congress for EE and RES, which this year attracted record attendance, reflecting growing interest in the above subject. Speaking to over 350 participants lecturers covered rather wide scope of topics - energy efficient retrofitting and RES into practice, CO2 emissions trade, green certificates, innovative financing instruments, etc. Cut a log story - the right people were there.

Experts looking for information and funds were facing new perspectives. They discovered opportunities for implementation of new energy saving technologies and studied how to attract funding, learned about solar technologies and their application in construction, installations for production and use of bio gas, waste-free technology for the production of biogen fuels from bio mass.

Participants from 22 countries gathered to share latest insights. They showed knowledge, relevant experience, concern and were involved in spirited discussions after each session. Some debates seemed to be very informative, useful and even controversial, which kept delegates interested.

Major part of participants included managers and experts from sectors such as energy efficiency, power engineering, construction, consultants, investment and banking, services, etc. Experienced operators, developers, manufacturers came to update themselves or address the theme of EE and RES for the first time.Eager for knowledge they snapped up all information materials and the organisers couldn't replenish them fast enough.

At the congress Sweden and Netherlands announced ambitious national targets concerning JI projects. Speakers explained what do they offer to Bulgarian companies, what are the advantages of implementing such projects and how companies could benefit from that scheme. Due to the small size of the country many of the potential projects are small or medium-sized.

These projects would have a more difficult finding of financing and gaining the attention of potential investors. They are considered to be associated with extremely high costs and are unfairly disadvantaged. However they could be organized into larger packages to look more appealing and to get financing and support.

Energy sector and related businesses in Bulgaria have been crying out for a specialized trade show. Held along with the Congress at the heart of an emerging field, it gathered exhibitors from 27 countries. Exhibitors presented systems based on wind energy, solar energy, bio energy, heating technologies, panels, materials and systems for thermal insulation, gas installations, energy from waste, etc.

Over 3,500 specialists visited the exhibition to see latest technology and good practical examples. More and more often companies and households are opting for energy efficiency and an improved environmental image. The reasons to re-evaluate EE are as diverse as the businesses concerned yet increased energy prices are a very strong driver for companies and households to introduce energy saving and do a lot to cut energy consumption. It speaks volumes about the future.

The strenuous conference days are behind us and we feel very proud to have further improved our event from last year by bringing more themes, more participants and launching a new trade show. We hope to go forward with even more national and international participation next year and make both events a leading hub for the EE businesses in the Region. Those who deal with energy don't have to worry about keeping the story exciting – it happens all by itself. Just imagine all renewables … and get ready for Energy and Technology 2007 in Bulgaria.

FACTS & FIGURES:

Breakdown of participants by countries (excl. exhibitors): Delegates from 23 countries (85% - Bulgaria, 15% - other)
Austria	Italy	Spain
Belgium	Kosovo	Sweden
Czech	Republic Macedonia	Switzerland
Denmark	Poland	The Netherlands
Estonia	Romania	Turkey
Greece	Serbia & Montenegro	USA
Bulgaria	Hungary

Exhibitors and represented companies by countries:
Bulgaria	Austria	Russia
Germany	Czech	Republic Slovakia
Poland	Denmark	Slovenia
Belgium	France	Sweden
Italy	Greece	Sweden
Turkey	Switzerland	The Netherlands
United Kingdom	USA

Breakdown by position:
Upper management	51%
Expert, consultant	30%
Journalist	12%
VIP (ministries, embassies, etc.)	5%
Students	3%

Breakdown by activity and industry:
Energy sector, ecology, EE and RES	41%
Ministries, municipalities, embassies	16%
Banks, financial and consultant services	14%
Media	13%
Construction	13%
Associations and NGOs	9%
Petrol and chemical industry	6%
Research and education institututions	4%
Electrical and electronic equipment	2%
Transport	2%
Consumer industry	2%
Agriculture and wood processing	1%
Mining industry	1%

“The Congress was very interesting in terms of topics, speakers from various sectors/activities, opportunities for contacts and information exchange. Definitely there is a positive improvement from the previous event. The organisation was on a very high level in every aspect.”

Antoaneta Yotova, Bulgarian Academy of Sciencies

“It was a pleasure for me to participate in the Congress. The presentations were interesting and useful.”

Ella Stengler, CEWEP (Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants)

“I found the topics of the Congress very interesting and what is more important I noticed that all participants were really interested in the discussion.”

Henryk Kwapisz, EURIMA (European Insulation Manufacturers Association)

“We would like to express our most sincere thanks for the excellent organisation of the International Exhibition on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources.”

Eng. Stephen Djastanov, MKM BG Group Ltd.

“I would like to say that the organisation of the exhibition was on a very high level. Thank you for everything! We would be most delighted to participate again!” Donka Atanassova, Bulclima Ltd.

“We made very good and a lot of useful contacts during the Congress and the exhibition! We had no problems - everything was perfect - there was always somebody around to answer our questions.”

Sebastian Wache, Amandus Kahl GMBH & CO. KG

The increasing prices of the petrol, electricity problems in major geographical areas, the fusion energy discussions, the ambitious environmental goals of Europe and the need of new energy sources are only some of the questions, outlining the high priority and relevance of the Congress topic. Nowadays we are looking for alternative energy sources, which will have a major influence to the economy and environment.

The International Congress and Exhibition on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources in Industry and Construction is the biggest event in the field in Bulgaria and the region. It is organized a year after the first International Conference on Energy Efficiency in the Construction which gathered over 300 participants from Bulgaria and European countries.

Auspice of the Forum is given by the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, Ministry of Energy and Energy Resources, the Ministry of Environment and Waters, the Energy Efficiency Agency, UNEP / SEFI Sustainable Energy Financing Initiative and Dr. Herman Sheer – President of the World Council for Renewable Energy.

The event will highlight and discuss the newest technologies and products, leading good practices and European strategies. The forum enables contacts and future partnerships establishing as well as picking up with the modern tendencies in the sector. The Bulgarian economy and industry face the need of more efficient buildings and industry. The organizers believe the Congress is the best way for dissemination of know-how and practices as well as for awareness raising. Renewable energies offer an affordable and save energy supply for everyone.

Congress participants will meet high-qualified speakers from Bulgaria and abroad, will share and discuss ideas and experience with representatives of the business societies from the Balkan Region. The forum will discuss renewable energy technologies, ways of projects financing and successfully implemented examples for energy efficiency in the small and medium sized enterprises, utility companies and the whole SouthEast Europe region society. It is expected that the Congress will contribute to the environment policy, the reducing of CO2 emissions and energy consumption in industry as well as to the increasing of investments in energy saving technologies and higher competitiveness not only of the Bulgarian companies, but the one from the Southeast Europe Region too.

Main Program accents are the financial and investment part, the energy efficiency education as well as the Session for Financial schemes and instruments for implementation and promotion of RES & EE in SE Europe. The World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstructure and Development, the United Nations Environment Program and the Department for financing of EE projects; the Bulgarian and Romanian Energy Efficiency Fund will be presented at the Forum. The Center for Renewable Energy Sources of Athens will share its investment attracting experience. The Congress will also present the Berlin Energy Agency and the EEI Consulting Company from UK. The important question for energy management and “green certificates” trade will be discussed.

The Congress organizers believe the energy efficiency training is very important as it can influence the behavior of the end consumers. Young specialists as well may contribute to the energy efficiency increasing and application of renewable energy sources.

Partners and supporters of the International Congress are: the Bulgarian Construction Chamber, the National Building Federation, UNEP / SEFI Sustainable Energy Financing Initiative, REEEP - Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership, ISPE, Awel Aman Tawe, Erneuerbare Energien, Bulgarian – Greek Chamber of Commerce, University of Food Technologies, Technical University Sofia, EUBA – Energy Utilization of Biomass Association

The Congress Scientific Committee consists of 17 high level experts from Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Austria, Italy, Serbia & Montenegro, Romania. The event has already become popular in the specialised societies from Europe. Over 40 topics from speakers from 12 countries were approved and included in the Congress Programme. Over 10 companies from Bulgaria, Germany, The Netherlands, Austria and Italy have applied for participation with commercial presentations. The registered so far participants are specialists from 22 countries: Bulgaria, Austria, Algeria, Belgium, China, Croatia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Fiji, France, Italy, Hungary, Monako, Pakistan, Romania, Serbia and Monte Negro, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Turkey.

During the Congress will be held a specialised exhibition and poster session, presenting new technologies and installations for increasing of energy efficiency and appliance of renewable energy sources into homes, industry and construction.

From 11 to 12 April 2005 Geonardo Ltd., will organize a two-day intensive international training course on developing and submitting EU project proposals in the field of energy and environment.

For more information please contact Mrs. Maya Krasteva at + 359 888 926 587