The EC approved the changes requested by Bulgaria in the Recovery and Resilience Plan and included projects under the REPowerEU program

BRUSSELS/SOFIA – The European Commission (EC) has given a positive assessment of the amended version of Bulgaria’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), the EC reported.

The plan now includes a chapter dedicated to the REPowerEU initiative, with new measures to combat energy poverty, support the liberalization of the electricity market, as well as promote the deployment, storage, and use of renewable energy sources. The revised plan amounts to €6.17 billion in the form of grants and includes 50 reforms and 51 investments.

A key focus of the plan is the green transition – 49.9 percent of the total resources are directed towards climate-related measures. Digital transformation is also a priority, with 20.6 percent of the funds allocated for initiatives to expand high-speed internet coverage, enhance digital skills, and digitize public administration and business.

The plan maintains its social orientation with measures to modernize education, as well as to improve and facilitate access to long-term healthcare.

Bulgaria has already received €1.37 billion as the first payment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The EC will approve subsequent payments based on the progress in implementing the investments and reforms outlined in the amended recovery and resilience plan of the country, the statement noted.

The press service of the Bulgarian government commented that the accepted changes to the Plan are expected to facilitate its implementation and successful completion.

The approval of the chapter for REPowerEU allows Bulgaria to benefit from the additional resource of €479 million provided by the EC. These funds will support measures to address energy poverty, support the liberalization of the electricity market, and promote the deployment, storage, and use of renewable energy, the cabinet’s press service noted.

The number of stages and objectives has been reduced from 321 to 259, and the number of payments under the NRRP from nine to five. Investments or parts of them that cannot be realized within the eligibility period for expenses have been removed from the Plan, and new ones have been proposed in the areas of energy efficiency and transport connectivity, while the scope of some existing ones has been increased. 

On April 16, Bulgaria submitted a request to the EC to amend the NRRP in accordance with Article 21 of the Regulation for the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (RRM), as well as to add a chapter for REPowerEU  – the European plan to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and accelerate the ecological transition. 

The EU Council has four weeks to review and approve the Commission’s assessment. (2.07.2025)