Dimitar Beleliev, PhD, on “Business Start”, April 29, 2026

All the prerequisites for stable and effective governance are in place – there is a clear majority, and Rumen Radev’s team is not new to power, possessing significant experience. Let’s hope that things move in the right direction and that subjectivity is removed from politics and the economy,” said Dimitar Beleliev, PhD, on Bloomberg TV Bulgaria’s “Business Start,” hosted by Roselina Petkova.

What the Energy Sector Needs

There are several measures that can be implemented. For instance, in the energy sector, electricity prices for household consumers could be liberalized, as one-third of the market remains regulated. The second “hot potato” is the Maritsa Basin, where billions are lost every year without anyone initiating reforms. The third point is the initiative to ensure European funds are directed toward European companies rather than third countries like China and Turkey.

According to the guest, it is vital to use every tool at our disposal. The caretaker government has initiated discussions, and there are already early examples of procurement procedures announced this way – a practice that is legal and valid across Europe. The condition for 51% European production would provide a massive boost to businesses in Bulgaria, as China currently dominates such contracts.

The RES Sector in Bulgaria

The business community is acutely feeling the impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. However, this could be exceptionally useful for Europe, and Bulgaria in particular, as it provides a clear picture of what the effects of the Green Deal might look like. “Now is the time to take measures – Bulgaria consumes 5 billion BGN worth of gasoline and fuel annually,” explained Dr. Beleliev.

He added that the Renewable Energy Sources (RES) sector in Bulgaria developed too rapidly. It is crucial for the new government to introduce order, as batteries are currently being installed wherever possible rather than where they are actually needed. There is a need for a transformation of ownership across the entire energy sector. In Bulgaria, we have strictly state-owned and strictly private sectors, whereas in most countries, these are mixed.

The prospects for energy communities in Bulgaria are immense. The efficiency of these communities, which allow every member to profit, must be understood. We must categorically develop this.

In recent decades, billions have been invested in RES, and the more developed this business becomes, the better. The guest noted that if we begin investing the same massive sums that have been poured into internal combustion engines over the last hundred years, RES efficiency will increase and prices will drop.

“It is beneficial to keep our market for ourselves. Until now, there weren’t good conditions for foreign investors to enter. For example, there is much talk about data centers, but the projects are few in number and capacity.”

“I hope that we now have security and that serious investors will begin to show greater interest. Data centers could absolutely rely on green energy,” Dr. Beleliev shared.

He also commented that the labor market situation is difficult, further distorted by state-owned enterprises that continuously increase their staff. On the other hand, expectations are for the energy sector to be successful in 2026. Hopefully, we will learn our lessons as a society and move in the right direction.

Source: Bloomberg TV Bulgaria