Teodor Bobochikov is an energy and renewables professional with local and international experience in the energy sector. His areas of expertise include mergers and acquisitions of companies, business development, hydro and wind power strategies, project financing, financial modeling and evaluation. Among the positions he has held are Adviser in the Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy, General Manager of the Bulgarian branch of the company AES Corpo, "Business Development" Director of AES Wind Generation (Europe), CEO of Energo Pro Bulgaria.
The UN sustainable development goals were adopted at the UN Summit in September 2015 in New York. Which do you think are the most important highlights in the commitments in view of the expected outcome and results in 2030?
Personally I like the aim 12.5 very much, which foresees a significant reduction of generated waste through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. I believe that this is a good way to address environmental, economic and social distortions as well as to remove the notion of consumerism as the fundamental basis of economic growth. I would like to see our economies shift from the paradigm "take, make, consume and throw away."
2015 is key in finalizing the global agreement on climate change. Are you optimistic about the outcome of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21) and the role of the European Union in this regard?
Europe has already demonstrated that it can draft and implement sustainable plans, though with a satisfactory level of success. These plans can be designed in the interest of publicly significant objectives, as well as to create an environment for their implementation across Member States and to drive the institutions, business and society.
Unfortunately, the global concept is much more difficult than the local. The reasons are mostly economic and geostrategic. I suppose that some countries and regional alliances, driven by the the public willingness and economic development, will have a leading role in the fight against climate change over the next five years.
Where in your opinion is the biggest potential of Bulgaria for achieving sustainable development and in what can we become a European and global role model?
Firstly, it is difficult for one country with limited financial resources to be a leader on a topic that requires investment in projects with moderate or low return and an uncertain future. Of course, this is not impossible. Small players like Bulgaria in periods of transformation can leap across whole stages of investment and modernization of morally and technologically outworn industries.
Instead of catching up in the technical condition made in the middle of the last century grid, Bulgaria may invest in the so called "effective electricity supply" (smart grid), which is the basis in EU’s plans for 2030 and forward. Sometimes being the last can be a plus. Especially when you take advantage of innovation and new technologies.
What is your personal sustainable vision or dream which you are committed to pursue professionally?
I would like to see more science and rationality in the debate between the business and society. With these two components lacking, this can lead to disagreements and different actions in detriment to the future of nature. My dream is that one day 100% renewable energy sources will supply energy to people all over the world.
