In the conditions of limited municipal budgets, the continuous increase of the basic fuel and energy prices causes a growing interest in energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy sources (RES). EE projects involve typically the implementation of well known technology and encountered problems are mostly financial ones. From the other hand, the situation with the utilization of the local RES potential is quite different. From such point of view, one of the principal tasks of LSEP consists in providing to municipalities of the necessary instruments for independent solving of problems, related to the utilization of the local renewable energy resource.

Combination of activities and measures, based on the development strategy and plans of a given municipality (region), aimed at achieving rational energy utilization and energy conservation. LSEP represents a necessary element of development strategies and plans of all municipalities and regions. The planning itself is based entirely on the inherent priorities. Local sustainable energy planning is a continuous process with the participation of all interested parties from the municipal (regional) territory - local authorities, producers, service companies, financial institutions, NGOs, etc.

Support of local of local sustainable development of municipalities and regions in Bulgaria through ENERGY planning and management, implying:

• Improvement of social conditions in the municipality (region)

Most frequently, these are:

• Lack of local experts and experienced specialists in this area;
• Lack of reliable information, and in some cases – of whatsoever data, concerning the potential of the local renewable energy resource;
• Lack of enough knowledge about RES technologies;
• Barriers, related to the existing legal framework;
• Lack of funds for the implementation of RES and EE projects;

LSEP provides to the regional and municipal administrations in Bulgaria the following new possibilities:

• To become from passive observers, active participants in solving of energy tasks, including the utilization of the local RES potential;
• To acquire skills and experience in energy planning and to reduce to the possible minimum the expenses for evaluation of the available potential, selection of suitable technology and formulation of investment project proposals, concerning RES and EE;
• To create a data base for the local renewable energy resource and to support the creation of a national data base;
• To make a specific input for the development of the local economy;

LSEP development is based on a methodology, which has been successfully applied for 3 years in practical implementations. This methodology was described by the consultants from ESD Ltd. and ESD Bulgaria in the ‘LSEP Methodology' CD. These guidelines were specifically aimed at the implementation of RES investment projects and related activities. The basic objective of the consultants was to provide to municipalities in Bulgaria an easily accessible instrument for independent solving of RES related tasks, such as:

The ‘LSEP Methodology' CD provides answers to questions such as:

• How to prepare an investment project proposal.

During the period 2000 – 2003 were developed 6 LSEP's of the following Bulgarian municipalities: Sapareva Bania, Kocherinovo, Kyustendil, Silistra, Velingrad and Teteven. The available renewable energy resources and their potential were evaluated, as well as the energy demand structure in these municipalities. Based on these evaluations, 27 investment project proposals were developed, concerning RES and EE in various sectors of the economy, and some of these proposals are already implemented.

LSEP training courses were conducted in the municipalities Sapareva Bania, Kocherinovo, Kyustendil, Silistra, Velingrad and Teteven. Currently the municipal administrations there have experts who have followed the training course and also specialized software for evaluations, related to the rational use of energy.

Data bases were created, concerning the available renewable energy resources.