Bulgaria's potential offshore wind capacity reaches 116GW

According to the Center for Democratic Studies (CSD), a Sofia-based public policy institute, Bulgaria has 116 GW of technically feasible offshore wind capacity, of which 26 GW can be used in shallow waters
through a proven bottom-fixing technology concept.

The data suggest an achievable capacity factor of 40-48%, while the average cost of power generation is estimated at €62-91 for bottom fixtures and €110-150/MWh
for floating installations.

The offshore energy industry can make a significant contribution
to local communities on the Bulgarian coast in terms of creating high-skilled jobs and forming clusters of new technologies.
The CSD noted that the transformation of Bulgaria's two largest Black Sea ports, Varna and Burgas, into decarbonization hubs will support the formation of
the offshore wind industry.

Unfortunately, the existing national strategic roadmap fails to recognize the decarbonization potential
of Bulgarian waters.
The lack of strategic positioning for offshore wind energy is reflected in marine spatial planning and grid development
.
Infrastructure improvements and regulatory and administrative reforms are necessary
to open the door to future investors in the offshore wind industry.

The World Bank said in March 2020 that the total potential for technically viable wind energy in the Black Sea is 435 GW
.
This makes Bulgaria's CSD assessed offshore potential almost 27%
of the total.
However, Bulgaria currently has only 0.
7 GW of onshore wind capacity
.
The National Energy and Climate Program (NECP) expects to increase to 0.
89 GW
by 2030.

According to CSD, the European Green Deal provides financing opportunities
for the formation of a regional offshore wind industry in Bulgaria.
The assessment document also states that subsea fixed wind installations, as the mainstream technology, could provide the cheapest power generation
as early as 2022.