Renewable Energy Projects in France and Bulgaria — A Chance Encounter

To understand this little anecdote, you have to know that about a year ago, I became a friend of a French fellow, Gerolf Jacobs, a very personable clean energy investor/deal-maker who lives near Bordeaux. In a few of our numerous conversations, Gerolf has mentioned his specific penchant for renewables projects in Bulgaria.

I told him I’d keep an ear to the ground, and let him know if I came across any relevant contacts in this space. Of course, I didn’t think that such an event was too probable; in fact, I was altogether ignorant of modern Bulgarian history; when I think of the place, I recall Stalin and Soviet-bloc totalitarianism and bureaucracy.

Fast-forward to July. I was playing hooky from one of the plenary sessions at the Energy Storage conference show, sitting in the lavish hallway of the top-flight resort at which the conference was held. In fact, I was writing a blog post, much like I’m doing now. Across from me was a distinguished looking guy, bespectacled and well dressed, speaking a language I didn’t recognize into his cell phone. I remember thinking: That’s a Slavic language, but I sure couldn’t tell you which one. It’s actually good that I can’t understand it; if it were English I’d be distracted.

When he hung up, I asked, “I like the sound of that language – what is it?” “Bulgarian,” he explained.  A bit later in the conversation he mentioned, “I’m connected with dozens of people in my country who are working hard to forward the cause of renewables.”

“Hmmmm. I’m wondering if I could introduce one more,” I smiled.

Well, I just learned that the two – Gerolf and Dr. Boris Monahov, Director of the International Lead Zinc Research Organization — are meeting in Sofia later in August, and I’ll let you know what comes of it. 

In any case, I’m glad to report that I’m a bit less lost when in comes to current events in Bulgaria; I’ve come to learn that it’s a remarkably stable, sane — and beautiful place. 

Now, if my father were here, he’d ask, “Craig, are you going to make any MONEY from this?” and I’d have to admit the truth. “It’s extremely unlikely in this case, Dad. Sometimes there’s a way to make a buck, and sometimes you take an action just because it’s a cool thing to do. This falls into the latter group.”