The municipality of Sliven is located 300 km east of Bulgaria's capital of Sofia, 100 km from Bourgas, the country's largest commercial port, 130 km from the border with Greece and 130 km from the border with Turkey. It has an area of 1,366 km2 and includes 45 villages. With 112,103 inhabitants, it is the eighth largest city in the country.
Sliven has not yet signed the Covenant of Mayors, the topic is still under discussion in the City Council. However, there are plans to submit the Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) in 2013 if a positive political decision is made.
Targets
· Reducing CO2 emissions by 10% by 2020 compared to 2005 levels
Examples of local initiatives
· Implementation of energy-saving measures: mainly hydro and thermal insulation of roofs, insulation and cladding with mineral plaster on external walls and replacement of old wooden windows with new more energy efficient ones
· Participation in a programme which includes a phased scheme for the renovation of municipally-owned buildings
· Solar systems in stalled in three social institutions (schools) , ten kindergartens use their own solar energy systems, and one hospital has a solar thermal system for hot water production
· Renovation and expansion of the trolley system and the gasification of busses for urban and intercity transport