A new energy efficiency and renewable energy resources programme would set out next month, Deputy Economy and Energy Minister Luchezar Borisov said, as quoted by Dnevnik business daily.

The programme, to disburse 20 million euros, was entirely financed by the Norwegian government.
The funds would be open not only to Bulgarian but also Romanian companies.

To be eligible for the financing, local companies would need to have an active partnership contract with a Norwegian company and to jointly carry out the contract, Borisov said.

In related news, the Economy Ministry has raised the budget for public buildings' energy inspection from two million leva to six million leva.

Borisov noted that Bulgaria racks 1.2 billion leva in losses because of poor energy efficiency of publicly-owned buildings. The buildings in the poorest condition in this regard are hospitals, schools and kindergartens.

At present, Bulgaria has more than 70 companies dealing with energy efficiency review.