Wind energy production is the fastest developing industry globally, averaging a 22 per cent increase annually, said Friday Economy and Energy Minister Peter Dimitrov. He was addressing a roundtable in Kavarna on the development of wind parks in Bulgaria and nature conservation.

Currently, Bulgaria has 72 wind parks with a 111 MW installed capacity, said Dimitrov. In 2008, the capacity totalled 53 MW.

The roundtable is held by the European Parliament, the Kavarna Municipality and the Bulgarian Association of Producers of Ecological Energy. The European Commission is represented by Andras Demeter and Nelly Papazova of the Directorate General for the Environment.

Attending are experts and senior officials of the Ministry of the Economy and Energy and the Ministry of the Environment and Waters.

The roundtable tackles the need for long-term development of wind energy production in Bulgaria in compliance with a EU target some 16 per cent of energy to be from renewable sources by 2020.

Investor interest in building wind farms is high, with applications submitted for 5,200 MW. The forecast is that by 2015 there will be 600 wind turbines in Northeastern Bulgaria, producing some 1,500 MW of wind power.

Dimitrov outlined the need for back-up systems which will replace wind turbines during low-wind periods. The gas pipeline which runs through this part of Bulgaria is a good alternative. As Dimitrov said about twenty gas turbine power stations with a capacity of between 20 and 50 MW could be built, which will replace wind turbines in a matter of hours.

Source: BTA