Bulgaria's Sustainable Construction Legislation Outdated – Deputy PM Ekaterina Zaharieva

Caretaker Deputy PM Ekaterina Zaharieva (l) has launched an international forum on sustainable development in construction, Friday. Photo by BGNES/Elena Geroska.

Bulgarian sustainable construction legislation and practices are falling behind and outdated, according to caretaker Deputy PM and Regional Development Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva.

During a conference on sustainable development, Friday, Zaharieva claimed that there was no cheaper energy than the saved energy.

Owners investing in environment protection in fact pay higher taxes because the total built-up area is calculated based on the building's external walls, Zaharieva stressed. Under the new legislation a building's total built-up area will be calculated based on its interior walls, which in turn will stimulate people to use thicker external insulation, Bulgaria's Telegraph Agency reports.

All permits for construction or renovation, issued as of 2018 must be given to energy efficient public buildings with energy consumption close to zero, Zaharieva noted. The requirement also applies to residential buildings as of 2020.

The amendments to the energy efficiency ordinance have been prepared and sent to Brussels for consideration, she explained.

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