VZCZCXRO9758
OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHSF #0243 1410941
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 210941Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6013
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

UNCLAS SOFIA 000243 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENRG ECON PREL PGOV BG
SUBJECT: BULGARIA:  EMBASSY EVENT SHOWCASES U.S. RENEWABLE 
AND EFFICIENT ENERGY TECHNOLOGY 
 
 ¶1.  (U)  Summary:  U.S. renewable and energy efficiency 
technology took center stage May 19 at an Embassy and 
AmCham-sponsored conference featuring cutting edge U.S. 
solutions to Bulgaria's energy security and environmental 
challenges.  Titled "Renewable and Efficient Energy: Pathways 
to a Better Future", the event attracted over 100 company, 
government and NGO representatives and reached many more 
through positive press coverage.  U.S. speakers included 
representatives from the American Council on Renewable 
Energy, the Alliance to Save Energy, and the Department of 
Energy.  U.S. company sponsors such as AES, Citibank, IES, 
Dupont and Tishman showcased technological developments and 
financing options for wind, solar, biomass and energy 
efficiency projects.  After the Deputy Prime Minister kicked 
off the event, the Ambassador challenged Bulgaria to turn 
itself into a "new kind of energy hub" -- one that secures 
the country's energy security through domestically-produced 
renewables rather than the transit of hydrocarbons.  The 
event launched a dialog between representatives of the 
American Chamber of Commerce and U.S. green energy companies, 
who will collaborate on policy recommendations aimed at 
turning Bulgaria into the region's leading green investment 
destination.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (U)  The renewables conference was Embassy Sofia's answer 
to the April 24-25 Sofia Energy Summit, an event focused on 
energy security and the transit of hydrocarbons.  Sponsored 
by USAID's Office of the Development Counselor, the U.S. 
Foreign and Commercial Service, and individual American 
financial and renewable and efficient energy firms, the event 
was co-organized by the American Chamber of Commerce.  Deputy 
Prime Minister Ivailo Kalfin opened the forum, optimistically 
highlighting the 500 million euros in green investment 
Bulgaria hopes to attract in the coming year.  Underscoring 
the importance of energy security and environmental 
sustainability to national security and well-being, the 
Ambassador urged Bulgaria to use its luck of geography to 
turn itself into a "new kind of energy hub" -- one focused on 
renewable energy projects and the generation of cutting edge, 
green technology. 
 
¶3.  (U)  Speakers from the American Council on Renewable 
Energy and the Alliance to Save Energy focused on U.S. green 
industry trends.  DOE's Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy 
and International Affairs Jonathan Shrier (via DVC) covered 
the new administration's green energy policies and 
initiatives.  U.S. companies then presented their projects 
and new technologies in the energy efficiency, wind, solar 
and biomass sectors to the more than 100 business, government 
and NGO representatives present.  Throughout the day the 
Commercial Service facilitated matchmaking meetings between 
U.S. and Bulgarian firms.  Press coverage of the event was 
extensive and positive. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Comment:  Coming on the heels of the April Sofia 
Energy Summit, this renewable energy event offered Bulgaria 
an alternative to its long-stated goal of becoming a 
hydrocarbon transit hub.  With negligible gas and no domestic 
oil, but blessed with attractive conditions for wind, solar, 
biomass, hydro and geothermal generation, renewable energy is 
a game Bulgaria could actually win.  As the least energy 
efficient economy in the EU, Bulgaria could also make 
tremendous strides by focusing on conservation.  To attract 
additional green investment, conference participants agreed 
Sofia must create a more competitive investment climate.  At 
the close of the May 19 conference, the American Chamber of 
Commerce and U.S. green industry representatives agreed to 
develop policy recommendations on incentives and 
regulatory-based legislative changes aimed at turning 
Bulgaria into the region's leading green investment 
destination. 
McEldowney