Samenvatting

Environmental threats and scarcity of energy resources have become major issues of the 21st century. Therefore, the call for energy efficiency emerged as a valuable solution to these challenges. With the popularization of the ideas of energy efficiency, a new market was formed- the market of energy efficiency services.
Nowadays, this market is recognized as a market with a significant environmental, economic and social role. That is why political will and support to the business environment of energy efficiency services are highly necessary.
The following report outlines the results from a theoretical research that has been conducted in order to compare the so called ESCO (business model of energy efficiency services) market in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria and give recommendations for the development of the market in Bulgaria, (representing an emerging market), based on the experience of the Czech Republic, (known as a leader of energy efficiency services in Central and Eastern Europe).
Based on literature review analysis, expert opinions and interviews, an extensive analysis of the ESCO market of both countries was made. Then after careful consideration of results and outlining main incentives, barriers and differences of both markets, important recommendations for the development of the market in Bulgaria were made.
The outcome of the research showed that the main challenges that Bulgaria needed to overcome in order to have a developed and well-functioning ESCO market were mainly related to political and economic issues, lack of knowledge, trust and experience in the matter. That is why, the creation of legal and economic stimuli and the implementation of various educational measures would have a beneficial effect, encouraging the development of the ESCO market in Bulgaria.