The second International Congress on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources will take place on April 24 in Sofia.

The first international forum on bio-energy will take place during the event. Leading experts and companies in the bio-energy sector will take part in the forum, Darik Radio reported.

Energy saving is an important issue for Bulgaria because the country still uses twice higher amount of energy than the average figures for the European Union (EU), head of the forum's organisation committee Milko Kovachev said.

Among the subjects of discussion at the forum feature the recently approved EU targets for reduction of energy consumption by 20 per cent until 2020 and the increase of renewable energy resources usage in electricity production.

Nearly 50 per cent of Bulgaria’s energy sector relies on external energy supply, which compared to the average level for EU is good, Kovachev said.

Bulgaria has potential for the development of bio-energy production since nearly 30 per cent of the country's territory is covered with forests. Desolate areas form sufficient part the territories, offering opportunities for cultivation of energy crops.

Projects for the construction of bioethanol and bio-diesel refineries have already started in Bulgaria, Kovachev said.