Mihail Deligrozev

My name is Mihail, I am from Bulgaria. I have graduated in Structural Engineering from the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Geodesy in Sofia, Bulgaria. After three years as a structural engineer working in some of the poorest regions of the EU. I am no longer interested only in the technical aspect of the projects I worked on but o the social and political as well. Which lead me to the EPA program.

Project Title: Understanding energy transition policy mixes impacts on local energy poverty

With the introduction of the European Green Deal (EGD) the European Union (EU) has pleaded to cut 55% of the emission by 2030 from the 1990 levels, becoming climate neutral by 2050. In addition, EGD requires member states to continue the increase in renewable energy and to improve the energy efficiency of public and private infrastructure. 

To reach these goals the European Commission (EC) proposed a large investment package of policy instruments including financial investments as well as regulatory regimes. Nevertheless, to implement sucseffuly all these policies the EC relies on the member states and local authorities with which it shares competence in the areas cornering energy transition. On the other hand, the national and local governments are developing their policy instruments targeting the same or similar goals. Thus, creating a combination of policies that can enhance or contradict each other. Such a combination of policy instruments is commonly referred to in the literature as policy mix. 

Alongside the environmental objectives, the EU is determined to ensure a just transition. Pledging that no one will suffer from the socio-technical changes caused by the energy transition. The reduction of energy poverty is an important element of the just transition. Representing the access to healthy sources of energy as well as the ability to afford them without sacrificing other needs. While energy poverty is a problem all over the EU the nature and the intensity of the issue are quite diverse. Not only between member states but between regions within them. 
Bulgaria is one of the countries having a high share of people suffering from energy poverty. Sofia is the capital and the most wealthy city in the country and thus is performing better than the rest of the country energy poverty is still high. However, in the contrast to the rest of the country, Sofia municipality has more resources to develop its policies. 

Hence, the goal of this research is to understand the impact of the energy transition policy mixes developed on the different levels of the government on the energy transition in Sofia, Bulgaria. To achieve the goal of the study a qualitative case study approach will be used. Performing extensive policy research and conducting exploratory interviews to develop a cognitive map and finally a Causal Loop Diagram.

Committee: Thomas Hoppe, Nihit Goyal, Bert Enserink