BAGE will participate in the Geothermal Innovation Days in Strasbourg and will begin working with municipalities in December 2025.

The Bulgarian Association Geothermal Energy (BAGE) will take part in Geothermal Innovation Days 2025 in Strasbourg on December 3–4. The event is a leading European forum organized by ETIP-Geothermal and supported by the European Commission, bringing together experts, institutions, industry representatives and local authorities from across Europe.

During the forum, key directions for the upcoming European Geothermal Action Plan, which the European Commission will publish in the first quarter of 2026, are expected to be presented. The new plan will define the standards, policies, and financing mechanisms through which the EU will support the large-scale deployment of geothermal energy in heating, cooling, and electricity generation.

BAGE to Begin Working with Municipalities Starting December 2025

From December 2025, BAGE will launch the first nationally coordinated process for the systematic implementation of geothermal solutions in Bulgarian municipalities. In 2026, the following key activities are planned:

• Preparation of energy and geothermal profiles for three pilot municipalities;

• Development of ESCO financial models and identification of suitable financing mechanisms;

• Preparation of a Practical Handbook for implementing geothermal solutions in public buildings;

• Organization of a National Expert Forum with participation from institutions, municipalities, and experts;

• Creation of communication materials, infographics, and online content to support local authorities;

• Preparation of an expert policy statement supporting Bulgaria’s involvement in the European Geothermal Action Plan (2026);

• Development of a Heating and Cooling (H&C) Methodology for municipalities in line with RED III and the EED;

• Creation of a Municipal Geothermal Toolkit – a practical guide for municipalities on deploying geothermal technologies.

Expected Funding Opportunities: Norway Grants in 2026

The Council of Ministers has approved a draft Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021–2028, through which Bulgaria will receive EUR 127,197,491 to support the green transition, innovation, and social sustainability.

The funds will be allocated through four main programs:

• Water Resource Resilience (Ministry of Environment and Water) – EUR 8 million

• Innovation (Innovation Norway) – EUR 30 million

• Justice – EUR 36.6 million

• Home Affairs – EUR 25 million

Geothermal energy is expected to be a key component within the innovation program and a central element of future energy communities.

During the programming process, which will continue throughout 2025–2026, geothermal energy is expected to be included among the priorities for supporting the creation of energy communities, sustainable heating and cooling, and new renewable energy solutions in municipalities. This opens significant opportunities for:

• building local heating and cooling systems based on geothermal energy;

• creating energy communities utilizing local renewable resources;

• modernizing public buildings through geothermal installations;

• developing studies, pilot systems, and demonstration projects.

These priorities fully align with EU policies on energy communities, local heating and cooling (H&C) planning, and the upcoming Geothermal Action Plan (2026).

The programs are expected to be finalized in 2026, after which the implementation of predefined projects will begin, followed by the first open calls for applications. All projects must be completed by April 30, 2031.

BAGE will support Bulgarian municipalities in preparing and applying for these mechanisms to ensure full realization of Bulgaria’s geothermal potential.

BAGE will continue to be an active partner to institutions, municipalities, and businesses in making geothermal energy a key element of the country’s energy independence and climate resilience.