Sofia's Municipal Enterprise for Waste Treatment Saves BGN 200,000 in Electricity Costs with Solar Power Installation

Strategic Insights -

Sofia's Municipal Enterprise for Waste Treatment (MEWT) has made significant strides in reducing its environmental footprint and increasing its financial performance. The installation of a new photovoltaic system has enabled the enterprise to cover an average of 25% of its total energy consumption in April, May, and June, saving BGN 200,000 in electricity costs. This accomplishment is part of Sofia's broader goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030, following the city's inclusion in the EU's "100 climate-neutral and smart cities of the future" initiative.

Key Takeaways:

  • The solar power system, consisting of 3,356 photovoltaic modules with a capacity of 1,862 kWp/hour, has covered an average of 25% of MEWT's total energy consumption in April, May, and June.
  • The system has saved the enterprise BGN 200,000 in electricity costs.
  • MEWT's revenues from the sale of recyclable materials rose to nearly BGN 1.5 million in 2024, an increase of 195% compared to 2023.
  • In the first half of 2025, over BGN 940,000 was generated for the city's budget, more than five times the amount collected in the same period of 2024.
  • Nearly 51,000 tonnes of RDF (refuse-derived fuel) was produced and exported during the first six months of 2025, a 54% increase over the same period in 2024.
  • Landfill waste is decreasing, with just over 28,000 tonnes being landfilled from January to June 2025, almost 30% less than the previous year and half the amount in 2023.
  • The solar panels installed at MEWT do not affect elements of the National Ecological Network of protected zones nor pose any risk to public health or the cultural heritage of the area.
  • A new solar power installation is expected to be launched at the Sofia Zoo in the coming weeks.

Statistics:

  • 3,356 photovoltaic modules with a capacity of 1,862 kWp/hour were installed at MEWT.
  • BGN 200,000 was saved in electricity costs.
  • MEWT's revenues from the sale of recyclable materials increased by 195% in 2024 compared to 2023.
  • Over BGN 940,000 was generated for the city's budget in the first half of 2025.
  • Nearly 51,000 tonnes of RDF was produced and exported in the first six months of 2025.
  • Landfill waste decreased by 30% from January to June 2025 compared to the previous year.
  • 28,000 tonnes of landfill waste were generated from January to June 2025.

Sources:

  • Sofia Municipality's press centre, "Sofia's Municipal Enterprise for Waste Treatment Saves BGN 200,000 in Electricity Costs with Solar Power Installation" (undated).
  • Sofia Municipality, "Sofia 2030 - A Roadmap to Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions" (undated).