Национални интереси без консенсус: конфликтологичен анализ на българската енергийна политика в условията на Индустрия 5.0
National Interests without Consensus: Conflictological Analysis of Bulgarian Energy Policy in Industry 5.0 Conditions

Author(s): Ivaylo B. Ivanov, Rosen Simitchiev
Subject(s): Economy, National Economy, Business Economy / Management, Energy and Environmental Studies
Published by: Университет за национално и световно стопанство (УНСС)
Keywords: energy policy; national interest; conflictology; Industry 5.0; Bulgaria
Summary/Abstract: In the context of global industrial transformation and accelerated decarbonization, Bulgarian energy policy has become an arena of sharp conflicts between incompatible interests. The paper argues that the national interest in energy is not a fixed objective given, but the outcome of a temporary and unstable balance between multiple internal and external actors. Building on an integrated synergetic-conflictological framework that combines stakeholder theory, small states theory and synergetics, the paper maps four key conflict fields (state companies vs. industry, national autonomy vs. European requirements, energy security vs. geopolitical influences, short-term profit vs. long-term sustainability) and analyses critical decisions from 2007 to 2024. A comparative assessment of Poland, the Czech Republic, Portugal and, briefly, Romania reveals the critical lack of a proactive Bulgarian model and the limited use of shelter-seeking strategies. The paper proposes a triple reform - institutional, methodological and procedural - to transform conflicts into synergy, including the establishment of a National Council for Energy Strategy, systematic stakeholder analysis, a digital one-stop-shop for investments and proactive EU engagement.

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