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A Polycentric Approach to the Green Energy Transition in Bulgaria

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  • Dimitar Sabev

Abstract

Ostrom’s polycentric model for the governance of social systems has been gaining popularity as an alternative approach to the low-carbon energy transition in recent years. This article considers its potential application to three issues in Bulgaria’s green energy transition: finding substitutes for coal-based electricity production in the Maritsa-East lignite complex, providing new employment opportunities for workers affected by the transition, and understanding the broader social impacts of moving away from the traditional hierarchic model in the energy sector. It is important to note that while polycentric organizing is intended to support low-carbon solutions, it could also serve the interests of coal energy actors, who may prioritize short-term gains over the long-term public interest. Overcoming inertia is a major challenge for adopting the polycentric principle as part of Bulgaria’s industrial policy, particularly in implementing decentralized low-carbon energy solutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimitar Sabev, 2024. "A Polycentric Approach to the Green Energy Transition in Bulgaria," Economic Thought journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 3, pages 267-280.
    • Handle: RePEc:bas:econth:y:2024:i:3:p:267-280
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jens Lowitzsch & Florian Hanke, 2019. "Renewable Energy Cooperatives," Springer Books, in: Jens Lowitzsch (ed.), Energy Transition, chapter 7, pages 139-162, Springer.
    2. Henrik Egbert & Teodor Sedlarski & Aleksandar B. Todorov, 2023. "Foundations of Contemporary Economics: Elinor Ostrom and Common Pool Resources," Economic Thought journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 5, pages 554-571.
    3. Sovacool, Benjamin K., 2011. "An international comparison of four polycentric approaches to climate and energy governance," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 3832-3844, June.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy
    • Q52 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Pollution Control Adoption and Costs; Distributional Effects; Employment Effects

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