Participating in a discussion on a “Strong and Clean European Industry”
How to establish a robust and environmentally friendly European industry? One solution lies in the European Regulation for Net Zero Emission Industry. This topic was deliberated upon during a round table convened in the National Assembly, spearheaded by MEP Tsvetelina Penkova from the Group of the Progressive Alliance in the European Parliament and Christian Vigenin, the deputy speaker of the parliament. The discussion brought together key figures from regulatory bodies, institutions, industry, and academia.
The round table saw the participation of notable representatives, including those from the “Solar Academy Bulgaria” Association, represented by Dr. Eng. Veselin Todorov, founder of VVT Engineering, as well as the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, associations linked to the metallurgical and cement industries, the KNSB, the Institute of Energy Management, energy regulators, the Electricity System Operator, the non-ferrous metals industry, electricity distribution companies, the construction sector, and academic institutions.
MEP Tsvetelina Penkova set the tone for the discussion by emphasizing Europe’s leadership in innovation and the development of new industries. She highlighted the changing landscape of energy resources and the need for long-term sustainable solutions. Penkova noted that legislation for achieving a net-zero emissions industry is already in progress within the European Parliament. She stated, “The objective is to boost the production of clean technologies within the EU. This legislation will attract investments, create favorable conditions, and facilitate market access for clean technologies in the EU, thereby stimulating job creation and the emergence of new industries.” She also emphasized that this legislation would enhance the competitiveness of the EU industry and contribute to energy independence efforts.
Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly, Christian Vigenin, highlighted the significance of this meeting between Bulgarian representatives in the European Parliament working on legislative packages and the Bulgarian National Assembly, which will be responsible for implementing these measures into Bulgarian law. He assured representatives of the industry that the Bulgarian National Assembly would not only monitor the progress of this legislation but also exercise parliamentary oversight through the Commission on EU Affairs and other mechanisms to ensure that the Bulgarian interests are duly considered during negotiations within the Council of the EU.
MEP Tsvetelina Penkova articulated the objective of ensuring that, by 2030, at least 40% of green technologies and their components are produced within the EU, bolstering the Union’s strategic capacity for zero-net emissions technology production. As the rapporteur for this legislation, Penkova outlined her key priorities, asserting that all technologies, including photovoltaics, heat pumps, batteries, electrolyzers, wind installations, renewable sources at sea, power network technologies, sustainable fuels, and nuclear power generation technologies, must be manufactured within the EU. She emphasized the need to adapt this list as new technologies emerge.
