People have been widely discussing the benefits of green energy and the damages stemming from the nuclear one lately. The natural capacity is a source of renewable energy. Unlike the power plants which operate with fossil fuels, the renewable energy sources do not emit harmful components in the atmosphere. Green energy helps environmental protection, thus helping the future generations, too.

Does Bulgaria need a new nuclear facility such as the 7^th unit of the current Kozloduy nuclear power plant and are Bulgarians ready to use mainly green energy? The answer is given by Deputy Chairman of the Green party Borislav Sandov. What is the exact price of the green energy and its benefits as compared to the nuclear one?

“Basically, when we speak of green energy prices we should bear in mind the following: there is a certain purchase price adopted by the state and another one which is paid by the end consumer, i.e the price is distributed in an unfair manner. This is so, because in the beginning of the large-scale invasion of renewable capacities in Bulgaria, the authorities guaranteed to close people very high prices for their electricity produced by renewable facilities which brought financial loses to the National Electric Company. Later the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission introduced a tariff for renewable energy which was formed under vague criteria. However, we are confident that this price does not correspond to the actual cost paid by the National Electric Company to buy electricity from producers of energy from renewable sources. This price is unfair and is to the detriment of the society and the consumers.”

All consumers of energy from renewable sources are aware of the fact that the prices of green electricity have become cheaper as compared to electricity produced at some coal power plants. Therefore, the high prices associated with renewable energy production remained somewhere in the past. The price of the technologies used for production of renewable energy dwindled in the past few years. Now, the renewable energy provides opportunities for higher employment, energy independent societies and of course consumption of environmentally friendly energy. In fact, green energy is for free, because we use all natural resources such as sun, wind, etc, without the need to pay a penny from our own pockets, contends the Bulgarian environmentalist.

Should those who wish to install solar panels be worried by the weather fluctuations?

“Cloudy weather does not mean a lack of resource for solar energy production. Bulgaria is situated to the south and even if it rains every day, the solar panels installed on the roof for example are enough to provide energy for the given household”, Borislav Sandov explains.

Another problem which worries people who plan to abandon the nuclear facilities is linked with the sanctions imposed by the state. Should this fact worry the society and what decision should be taken in support of the Bulgarian economy? Here is the advice of the Deputy Chairman of the Green party.

“The state authorities should make an information campaign aimed at opening the market for this type of business in the whole country, instead of imposing sanctions and banning the mounting of green capacity. This type of business should be made by people living in areas rich in renewable resources, which could boost employment there. These are the key components in a social, economic, environmental and energy aspect. Moreover, the energy system will be more stable, if less electricity transfer is made and energy is consumed near the production site.”

English version: Kostadin Atanasov