On the 19th of February we inivte you to join the Energy Expert’s Forum "From Fuels to Systems: The New Concept for Energy Security in Europe", which will be held in Sofia on 19 February 2026. The half-day discussion is organised by the Energy Management Institute (EMI) and Utilities.bg under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy.
The forum will examine the transition of energy security from a fuel-based concept to a system-based concept, including issues such as adequacy, flexibility, grid resilience and cybersecurity in highly electrified systems.
The event will bring together leading representatives of European and national institutions, network operators, energy companies, investors, sectoral and non-governmental associations, as well as energy and financial consultants.
The working languages of the discussion are English and Bulgarian, with simultaneous interpretation provided. The event is open to the media.
For any additional questions and clarification please contact emi@emi-bg.com.
Register HERE
Programme schedule
Format: introductory speeches by key speakers with limited speaking time, interactive discussion with participants
10:30 Registration and coffee
11:00 Opening and introductory remarks
- Moderators: Kaloyan Staykov, EMI MB Chairman / Assoc. Prof. PhD Atanas Georgiev, Chief Editor Utilities magazine: Presentation of the objectives, main topics of discussion and key speakers, organisation of time and sessions
- Key introductory statement: Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria: National priorities in the field of energy security in the context of European goals and regional challenges.
11:15 - 12:15 First session: The new concept of energy security — the European framework and market design reforms
- Introductory presentation by Nic Steinwand, Policy Advisor – Energy & EU Climate (Energy Policy, Climate & Sustainability) EURELECTRIC: "Redefining Energy Security": Ensuring a resilient and secure energy system
- Monika Zsigri, Head of Unit, DG ENER Energy Security and Safety, European Commission
- Tsvetelina Penkova, MP, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, European Parliament
- Q&A
12:15 Second session: Investments and market mechanisms to ensure security of supply
- Introductory presentation by Fabien Roques, Executive Vice President & Head of Energy Practice, Compass Lexecon: The need for investment in stable and flexible capacity and the "missing money" problem
- Eng. Dimitar Zarchev, Director National Dispatching Center, Electricity System Operator: National dimensions – risks and possible solutions for system security and adequacy
- Plamen Mladenovski, Chairman, Energy and Water Regulatory Commission: Regulatory aspects of security in a national context
13:15 - 14:00 Third session:
- Discussion with all participants
14:00 Closing remarks and summary
Main topics:
- There is a growing need for strategic coordination and predictability in the energy policy of Bulgaria and the region. Aligning national energy and climate plans with long-term electricity network development projects and adequacy assessments is essential to ensure that investments are well-targeted, timely and fully in line with EU objectives and the specificities of the national energy landscape. Upcoming decisions must ensure not only predictability for businesses, but also consistency in the implementation of the new planning and oversight framework.
- In this context, the updated EU electricity market model is particularly important. It will transform the way cross-border capacity is allocated, introduce new market access rules and strengthen the role of regional coordination centres. This will require Bulgaria to participate more actively in regional integration and adapt to the new rules, which emphasise transparency, efficient use of infrastructure and a level playing field for all participants.
- At the same time, the transition to a high share of renewable energy creates new systemic challenges and has a direct impact on market prices. Technologies such as storage batteries, long-term energy storage solutions and modernised thermal power plants can play a central role in addressing these challenges. Equally important is demand management, including the role of aggregators, which can ease pressure on the system and help overcome local difficulties.
- Operational resilience is another key priority, as is the need for reliable system services, stability standards and clearly defined reliability indicators that ensure security in both day-to-day and long-term operations.
- Special attention will also be paid to security costs. The forum will analyse the scale of investment needed in electricity transmission and distribution networks, renewable energy sources, storage systems and firm capacity, as well as the role of the state in stimulating these investments and mobilising European and international financial resources. At the same time, reforms in the structure of the European electricity market are already transforming capacity and flexibility mechanisms from temporary instruments used in extreme cases into permanent structural elements of the model. For Bulgaria, this opens up opportunities, but also raises the question of how to design national mechanisms that are both effective and adapted to the specific conditions in the country.
