With the financial support of UK Department for Foreign Development (DFID), during the period 2000-2003 several projects were implemented in the Bulgarian municipalities, aiming to support energy planning, management of municipal resources and implementation of RES and EE projects in Bulgaria .

Local sustainable energy plans were developed (investment projects and action plans) in seven municipalities in Bulgaria – Sapareva Bania, Kustendil, Kocherinovo, Silistra, Velingrad, Teteven and Kurdjali.

The representatives of the municipalities were trained in all aspects of local sustainable energy planning. Currently they have obtained the necessary skills and knowledge to attract local stakeholders in the planning process, as well as develop sustainable energy plans, which will attract investments and stimulate the activities in the main sectors of economy.

The available renewable energy resources and their potential, as well as the structure of energy consumption in the municipalities were assessed. On the basis of these assessments totally 27 proposals for investment projects in the different sectors of economy were developed. Some of the projects have already been implemented or are in a process of implementation.

LSEP provides the opportunity of the municipalities in Bulgaria to become “sustainable communities” .