Innovation Mission to Bulgaria: Geothermal Energy in Greenhouses

Last checked on: 29 April 2026

Are you working on innovative and sustainable solutions to challenges in greenhouse horticulture in relation to geothermal energy? And would you like to explore and collaborate with Bulgarian partners on innovation and product development (R&D)? Then join this knowledge and technology innovation mission to Bulgaria from 24 November until 26 November 2026.

Register
Date:
Tuesday 24 November
Thursday 26 November
Venue:
BG
Attendee information:
  • Participation costs €350 per person, excluding VAT, travel and accommodation costs, and individual expenses.
  • Please register by 19 June 2026.
Organiser:
  • Netherlands Enterprise Agency
Kaart Bulgarije

At the heart of this agri-food innovation mission is the exploration of equal collaboration in research and development for both researchers and companies. The focus is on collaboration and innovation throughout the value chain.

Why Bulgaria?

Bulgaria offers many opportunities for sustainable growth in greenhouse horticulture. The country has favourable natural conditions, a strong tradition of horticulture and a strategic location in relation to European export markets. At the same time, high energy costs and outdated greenhouses are holding back production and competitiveness. Geothermal energy can help make the sector more sustainable and stronger. This presents opportunities for Dutch companies with expertise in greenhouse horticulture, energy and geothermal technology.

Challenges hindering growth

Bulgaria has great potential in horticulture. The country has plenty of agricultural land, fertile soil, plenty of sunshine and a strong tradition of growing fruit and vegetables. Bulgarian consumers also enjoy eating fresh produce grown locally. However, Bulgaria cannot produce enough fresh fruit and vegetables to meet the demand of its own market. The country is particularly reliant on imports during the winter. There is also a strong competitive pressure felt from neighboring countries Turkey and Greece, where heating costs are much lower.

Furthermore, the Bulgarian greenhouse horticulture sector makes little use of opportunities on the European market. The two main challenges that are preventing Bulgaria to unlock its significant growth potential in greenhouse horticulture: high energy costs and 'low tech' greenhouses. Both factors are stacking and fueling each other. Low energy efficiency and a low level of technology lead to high energy demand, resulting in high energy costs. These costs limit the ability of growers to invest in modern facilities and equipment. This harms their competitiveness at affluent export markets. 

Opportunities for the use of geothermal energy

Bulgaria has significant unexplored geothermal capacity – a local, secure, clean and cheap energy source that has the power to boost domestic greenhouse production, among many other sectors. The Bulgarian government has identified these opportunities and prioritizes geothermal in its energy transition strategy and investments.

The country already has experience with geothermal energy. In the 1980s, Bulgaria was among the pioneers in using artesian geothermal waters in greenhouse heating. Some of the most successful Bulgarian greenhouses today are successors of facilities created back then. This experience, along with very favorable geothermal gradients across vast areas of the country, could be of interest to Dutch counterparts.

However, Bulgaria currently lacks the knowledge, experience and technology for deeper geothermal exploration and application. This provides opportunities for Dutch geothermal companies and service providers. Not only in greenhouse horticulture, but also for the heating and cooling of buildings and industrial processes. The Netherlands is a world leader in both greenhouse horticulture technology and geothermal applications. This gives the Netherlands the opportunity to be a long-term partner to Bulgaria in achieving sustainable and future-proof growth in greenhouse horticulture.

For whom?

This innovation mission is of interest to Dutch companies and knowledge institutions that are active throughout the whole value chain in greenhouse horticulture and geothermal energy, such as:  

  • Providers of greenhouse technologies, equipment and services; 
  • Solution providers focusing on energy efficiency in greenhouses;
  • Turnkey suppliers of greenhouses;
  • Geothermal exploration, implementation and service companies;
  • Knowledge institutions focused on greenhouse production and geothermal energy;
  • Greenhouse growers interested in partnerships and investments in Bulgaria;
  • Financial institutions, investors and other important relevant value-chain actors.

Mission objectives

In the Netherlands, we aim not only to be a leading exporter of sustainably produced agri-food products, but also of knowledge, expertise and technology that contribute to resilient food systems worldwide. We strengthen this position by investing in innovation and by collaborating internationally in research and development.

The objectives of this mission are:

  • To gain insight into the ecosystem, innovative developments and opportunities in Bulgaria related to modernization of the greenhouse sector and implementation of geothermal energy;
  • To explore and exchange best practices in policy, industry and agricultural holdings;
  • To explore trends and opportunities for multi-year (public-private) collaboration between knowledge institutions and between companies in the field of research and development;
  • To connect innovative Dutch knowledge and technology to market opportunities and relevant networks in Bulgaria;
  • To promote the business model of highly efficient greenhouses heated by geothermal energy and to initiate cross-institutional (BG) dialogue and support aimed at streamlining the permitting process and creating more favorable institutional and financial environment for investments;
  • To explore and develop a multi annual programmatic approach for building modern greenhouses heated by geothermal energy.

Draft programme

The mission programme is currently being developed. We aim to take participants’ specific wishes into account as much as possible when determining the final programme. 

Key components of the full 3-day programme include: 

  • Meetings and interaction with key Bulgarian public and private stakeholders during a seminar: 
    • business organizations and leaders in greenhouse production and geothermal energy; 
    • potential investors; 
    • government officials in the fields of agriculture and food, energy,  environment and water; 
    • knowledge and research institutions; 
    • Bulgarian and international financial institutions 
  • Field visits to leading Bulgarian greenhouses and other relevant key actors, for example Rosela Greenhouses and Greenhouse Dolna Dikanya
  • Networking events and informal matchmaking with companies and knowledge institutions

Costs

The cost of participating in the innovation mission is €350 excl. VAT per person. This includes:
 
• Participation in the collective programme;
• Transfers to and from programme components;
• Lunch and dinners, if mentioned in the programme.
 
Participation does not include:
 
• Travel and accommodation costs (intercontinental and domestic flights and hotels);
• All individual costs, such as lunches and dinners outside the programme.

Aanmelden

Would you like to participate in this innovation mission? Then please complete the online registration form by 19 June 2026.

Please note: registration does not automatically guarantee participation. Final participation depends on the number of places available and the extent to which your organisation aligns with the mission's objectives. There is a maximum of 2 registrations per organization. You will receive final confirmation after the registration period has closed.

Want to know more?

Are you looking for financial support for your plans?

Do you have questions about this innovation mission? Please contact Bob Hengeveld (advisor innovation missions) via bob.hengeveld@rvo.nl or +31 (0) 6 2943 3216.

Do you have questions about the local context? Please contact Stiliyan Grebenicharski (LVVN advisor for Bulgaria) via stili.grebenicharski@minbuza.nl or + 359 879 910 081.

Commissioned by:
  • Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy
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