Geothermal Update for Bulgaria (2000-2005)

Abstract

Geothermal development in Bulgaria has not marked a significant progress in last five years. It has been a time of testing and completing the new legislation concerning thermal waters and geothermal energy use. During this period the Government paid more attention to renewable energy development and some legal steps promoting it have been taken.
Bulgarian territory is rich in thermal water of temperature in the range of 20oC-100oC. About 72% of the total discovered flow rate has temperature up to 50oC. Electricity generation from geothermal water is not currently available in the country.
The total installed capacity amounts to 109.7 MWt and the annual energy use is 1671.43 TJ/year (incl. balneology).
Major direct geothermal uses nowadays cover: balneology, space heating and air-conditioning, domestic hot water supply, greenhouses, swimming pools, bottling of potable water and microalgae cultivation. Several of them exhibit more stable development at the current stage and are discussed in more details. The update information on the state-owned hydrothermal fields' use is based on issued permits and concessions by the state. Revision of the application of hydrothermal fields controlled by the Municipalities has not been completed yet.
Lately most of the new administrative and one-family buildings have been designed for low temperature heating systems (50oC/45oC, 45oC/40oC) applying air-to-water heat pumps and fan coils for the internal installations. The application of ground source heat pumps has expanded during this period.
Main legal barriers for geothermal development in the country are also discussed.