Sabev, Dimitar2026-08-022026-08-022026-08-022534-8442https://doi.uni-plovdiv.bg/handle/store/1053The European Union's energy transition should be understood not merely as an environmental objective set apart from the economy, but as a complex industrial policy. Key motives for the EU's energy transition include promoting economic growth, introducing non-tariff trade barriers (such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), and enhancing geopolitical competition. While ‘green’ policies act as instruments for technological renewal, they may also intensify inequality between the EU's center and periphery, with poorer and coal-dependent Eastern European countries facing the greatest burden of the energy transition. In managing the energy transition, Bulgaria must implement an active industrial policy for its coal regions, particularly the Maritsa East complex. Rather Καιρός, бр. 8/2026 245 than a disorderly phase-out or unjustified support for the coal sector, the state should promote the development of a new industrial ecosystem in its place. Ultimately, the energy transition demands targeted state intervention to transform declining ‘Malthusian’ sectors into innovative ‘Schumpeterian’ economic activities.otherenergy transitionindustrial policycoal regions in transitionnon-tariff trade barriersArticle