Public acceptance and willingness to pay for renewable energy in Bulgaria

Abstract

This paper analyses the level of public acceptance of the Bulgarian citizens towards all types of renewable energy technologies diffused in the country. Based on data collected in 2021 through a national representative survey it assesses willingness to pay for higher share of low-carbon energy in the energy mix and factors affecting it. Although the Bulgarian population has a positive attitude towards renewable energy, it lacks knowledge about the available technologies for its utilization. The potential contribution of the renewable energy sources to the local community's economic development has not been well acknowledged as well as they are not seen as personal investment opportunity. Only one third of the survey participants demonstrated readiness to get engaged with supportive action for further RES expansion.