BLUECEE – Strengthening Policy and Governance Capacity for Blue Energy in Central and Eastern Europe

Power generation from renewable energy sources (RES) in European seas contributes significantly to the European Union’s (EU) clean energy transition. They do not only promote the EU’s 2030 carbon reduction targets but also its long-term strategy of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. In relation to the outbreak of the energy price crisis in late 2021 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, offshore wind has gained strategic importance in the EU. Not only does unlocking the offshore wind potential open a wide range of opportunities for the economic development of coastal communities, but these technologies have also matured enough to provide access to stronger and more frequent power flows. However, sound public policy design and legislation, well-coordinated marine planning and permitting procedures ensuring reliable environmental protection and geological-geophysical data are crucial to activate marine renewable energy’s potential within Central Eastern Europe (CEE).

Engineer worker at wind turbine power station construction site ©nattanan726_Canva Pro

The project aimed at strengthening the capacity and readiness for multi-level governance of sustainable energy deployment in Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, and Romania in the region of the Black-Adriatic-Baltic Sea. Thus, reinforcing Europe’s leadership in the sector. To achieve this goal, BLUECEE created a knowledge repository, policy advocacy, and outreach instrument: the Black Sea Renewable Energy Coalition platform. During the process of project implementation, a coalition consisting of businesses, public authorities, knowledge institutions and civil society from Bulgaria and Romania was formed. By facilitating a variety of formats for collaboration, the coalition enabled the transfer of good practices from more advanced offshore energy markets in Europe to the CEE region and assisted in designing a bottom-up policy and governance framework for the deployment of offshore renewable energy in coastal communities. These exemplary communities cooperated closely with experienced offshore energy and nature coalitions on the European level and leveraged their experience to replicate their cooperation success. The project brought together working groups consisting of participants with expert knowledge on the topic, local and EU decision-makers with low knowledge about offshore wind energy specifics, and the broader public. Through close collaboration, they developed models of co-existence between marine renewable energy facilities and other economic and societal needs based on national characteristics. These findings were then communicated to policymakers in the CEE region and in the EU. The work of the newly established coalition was accompanied by the Blue Energy Fellowship Programme, which will be further developed with CEE universities to attract new talents to the industry by giving them the opportunity to be closely engaged in the work of the coalition.

• Regional cooperation and knowledge transfer strengthen offshore wind development: The establishment of the Black Sea Renewable Energy Coalition (BSREC) has created a permanent network that connects companies, authorities, science and civil society from the Black Sea region and promotes dialogue on offshore wind energy. In addition, a study trip to Denmark and international dialogue with experts from Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and established offshore wind markets facilitated an intensive transfer of knowledge on technologies, strategies and project planning. The combination of platform, networking and exchange strengthens regional cooperation and creates a common basis for the development of renewable energy projects.
• Improved political and legal framework conditions for offshore wind: The project supported Bulgaria and Romania in drafting new offshore wind legislation by analysing international best practices, identifying governance gaps and developing specific legal texts. In addition, publications and guidelines provide sound expertise for political and regulatory decisions and increase investment security in the region. This has created key prerequisites for legally anchoring offshore wind energy, strengthening planning processes and enabling future low-carbon energy generation.
• Skilled workers to drive forward sustainable energy projects: The Blue Energy Fellowship qualified four young professionals to analyse governance deficits and develop solutions for offshore wind projects. The project thus strengthens human resources capacities in Bulgaria and Romania and creates the skills needed to implement renewable energy projects in the long term. The training of these young professionals will help to drive forward the expansion of offshore wind energy and thus contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions in the future.