Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister for Climate Policy and Minister of Environment and Water Borislav Sandov unveiled a hydrogen heating installation at the McGahan Vocational School of Transportation systems, in Sofia. The hydrogen installation is part of the project Hydrogen School for a Green Future, which aims to introduce modern and sustainable models to improve energy efficiency and reduce conventional fuel costs and emissions.
Minister Sandov noted that about 20 hydrogen installations have already been built in schools across the country and he expects their number to increase significantly over the next year or two because these installations are cost-effective and environmentally friendly. All are funded by the government under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
“This will provide an opportunity to develop this technology also on a small and medium scale so that it becomes widespread and easy for integration in kindergartens, schools, municipal and public buildings, as well as by businesses that recognise it as an innovative energy source,” he said.
He also pointed out that the introduction of this type of heating source can reduce dependence on imported energy raw materials.
“This is part of the solution for energy independence of Bulgaria, because in practice through the energy produced in our country we optimise some processes and reduce by 30 per cent the cost for fuel, which we currently import from abroad. Separately, we reduce gas emissions by 15 to 30 per cent,” he added. “Last but not least is the positive environmental and health effect because these buildings are located in urban areas and we all breathe the air that comes out of their chimneys.”
According to him, public authorities should show the business the benefits of hydrogen installations for the reduction of costs and harmful emissions through good examples.
“Especially at a time of energy uncertainty, this type of process is extremely important to make us less dependent on external energy sources, as well as to improve energy efficiency in Bulgaria,” he concluded.
