Association projects wind, solar energy capacities to double in 2010

Installed wind-energy and photovoltaic capacities are expected to more than double by the end of this year, Velizar Kiryakov, chairman of the green energy producers' association, said. Wind power generators are to increase to a total of 400 MW by end-December from 179 MW at end-2009 as four wind-energy parks are expected to be completed. Photovoltaic capacities were reported at slightly above 7 MW and are to expand to some 20 MW, respectively. The association also presented long-term projections but hinted they bore some degree of uncertainty as they included the construction of wind turbines in the Black Sea which had so far not been backed by any investor. Long-term forecasts were also very different from those of the photovoltaic association and highly optimistic as compared to those of the national power operator NEC.