BCCI and Solar Academy Bulgaria submitted a proposal to simplify the procedure for installing photovoltaic plants

The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), in its capacity as an employer organization at the national level, was referred by its branch organization - "Solar Academy Bulgaria" (Solar Academy) and its direct members regarding the need to change the regulations and take immediate measures on overcoming the problems in the field of building photovoltaic power plants for own use. In October, a meeting was held between the chairman of the BTPP, Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov and the official minister of energy, Mr. Rosen Hristov, during which the main problems were discussed and ways to solve them.

"Without clear incentives and administrative relief, we will not be able to achieve rapid growth in RES energy sources. High electricity prices are one incentive, for the other we have proposed immediate and possible changes in the procedures for this government," commented Tsvetan Simeonov - chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Despite the legislative changes made this year, with the aim of easing the regime for issuing permits for the construction of facilities in the field of renewable energy sources and their connection to the electricity grids, they are extremely insufficient, and the changes made for the purpose of relief do not cover small and medium-sized enterprises. During the meeting, the representatives of the BCCI insisted that the necessary legislative actions for the preparation and transposition of Directive (EC) 2018/2001 to promote the use of energy from renewable sources, which will help to overcome the problems of business in the field, should be carried out in a short period of time of construction of energy facilities for the production of electrical energy.

"Investors are increasingly contacting us looking for information and more specifics on what they need to do to build a solar plant. The problem is that the processes are not uniform and each project depends on the interpretation of the Spatial Planning Act and the decision of the individual municipalities or their architects. This leads to termination, unnecessary delays and increased costs of the projects. Of course, there are a number of other problems, and the way to solve them is to make legal changes", commented engineer Veselin Todorov - chairman of the Association "Solar Academy Bulgaria".

According to the employer's organization and its members, the not fast enough actions by the government put the industry and consumers in a non-competitive position compared to the other participants of the European Union and slow down the green transition in the country. It is necessary for the Bulgarian government to take short-term measures and adapt the regulatory framework at the legal and by-law level, with the aim of reducing regulatory regimes, strict compliance with the terms of issuing permits and ensuring publicity of administrative actions, in connection with reducing the risk of corruption schemes.

After the meeting, BCCI together with "Solar Academy Bulgaria" Association prepared and submitted proposals to change regulations to ease the regime for building photovoltaic plants for own needs. According to the experts, after their implementation, a lighter administrative process will be achieved, there will be greater transparency and the possibility of faster construction of photovoltaic plants, which will stimulate both businesses and domestic users to invest in this type of projects, which in turn, it will lead to the control of the energy crisis in the country.

The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the "Solar Academy Bulgaria" Association also made a proposal for the participation of their experts in any working groups for the change of legislation and the successful implementation of the transition to the green deal.