Bio-diversity

Justification Electricity is produced in Bulgaria with a very low efficiency rate close to 0,3. That is why it is crucial to search for approaches to reduce electricity consumption. On such approach is substitute the use of electricity for production of hot water for households. Extremely appropriate measure in this direction is utilization of active solar energy. Bulgaria is lagging behind in meeting its objectives in this sphere. One of the major reasons is lack of working models and active information dissemination on the technical and economic effectiveness of the active hot water solar systems. The economic sector services although of the smaller energy users is developing fast and has a very large demonstration potential. At the same time it uses 67% of its energy from electricity ineffective and expensive source of energy. Location Balani village, Gabrovo municipality, Central Northern Planning Region Project Target Groups - clients of the demo-hotel: Bulgarian and foreign tourists - green schools and educational groups of youth - tourist business - local community Goal and expected impacts Demonstrate energy efficiency, utilization of solar energy for hot water, environmental education and provision of healthy food by establishing an integrated model for green tourism - 3 technologies for solar (passive solar, solar for hot water, photovoltaic) - 10 benefiting people - 2000 USD income increase - 1000 women involved and 1000 man - 5 NGOs participating - Gabrovo Municipality participating - Central Balkan National Park and Bulgarka Nature Park participating Objectives and expected results To demonstrate a system for energy efficiency and utilization of solar energy for hot water and lighting in a hotel with a capacity of below 100 beds - number of installed different elements of the system - installed power for hot water, kW - number of installed photovoltaic lighting units - yielded heat energy, kWh - temperature in the conference room without heating during winter season, oC - Money saved from electricity compared to 2008 - Surface heated by using passive solar energy 40 2 conference hall To practice green tourist products - Number of developed integrated tourist products - Number of clients for the products 1300 (1200 children and 100 tourists) - Income from products, USD To promote SGP Co-financed good practices - Number of practices exhibited in the hotel - Number of interested clients Major activities 1. Organization and project management 2. Reconstruction of the roof and integrating hot water solar installation 3. expand the conference hall and reconstruction for utilization of passive solar energy 4. energy saving lighting installation inside the hotel 5. Installation of energy saving lighting in the yard 6. Introducing environmentally sound practices in hotel management 7. Creating a place for outside activities picnic place nearby the hotel Balani 8. Development and practicing new products for green tourism 9. Study the possibilities for green certification 10. Information and publicity Partnership with GEF SGP proposals/projects 102 Protecting biodiversity in the area of Vitata stena, Natura 200 site, Gabrovo municipality 137 Establishment of Demonstration Centre for energy management and experience exchange in Gabrovo 143 Demonstration Centre Bulgarka = model for biodiversity protection via alternative tourism and sustainable land use Proposal 162 Promoting good practices in the SGP areas in Bulgaria Sustainability This project will enlarge the base and will provide it with cheaper sources of energy. This will increase the visitors flow and at the same time will reduce direct expenses, which will provide opportunity to continue activities on new technologies promotion. Solar and in general RES are part of all key policy documents. This project will build the capacity of the hotel staff and the other people from local community to continue with the delivery of green tourism products. Project Budget total, from GEF SGP, financial, in-kind - all in Bulgarian leva and percent of total TOTAL: 151 903 BGN OF WHICH SGP 74200 BGN (49%), FINANCIAL CO-FINANCING 63503 BGN, IN-KIND 14200 BGN

Bulgaria