Association "Solar Academy Bulgaria" insists on more large-scale measures before household consumers enter the free market

In recent days, one of the main topics of discussion in the energy industry has been the growing concerns about the potential sharp increase in electricity prices for residential consumers. As it became clear, the price of electricity for households after July 1, 2024 will be based on a basic price established by the Council of Ministers and an additional component determined by the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (EWRC). And in 2026, household consumers will enter the free electricity market, remind the experts of the association in a message to the media.

According to the experts from the "Solar Academy Bulgaria" Association, the need for an integrated approach to overcoming the challenges that await us should be put in the foreground. "Power System Security Fund" is a short-term solution.

To achieve long-term stability and sustainability of the energy market, global structural changes are necessary. Years ago, we warned of a potentially sharp increase in electricity prices for businesses, followed by the same effect for households. As we know, there was a crisis related to high electricity prices for businesses, which was difficult to control and had its consequences. It is necessary to take measures as quickly as possible in order to avoid a potential crisis among household consumers," commented the "Solar Academy Bulgaria" association.

To address these challenges, the association says, the importance of developing small local power plants and encouraging domestic consumers to invest in renewable energy sources as well as storage systems should be emphasized. The opinion of experts is that energy-poor households, which are extremely vulnerable in the context of energy changes, deserve special attention. "We need to develop and implement efficient support mechanisms to ensure access to energy for everyone in society. The approach to support for households affected by energy poverty must be fair and take into account individual needs, avoiding one-size-fits-all solutions. It is necessary to develop and introduce criteria that identify the degree of energy poverty, application procedures and types of support".

For the successful transformation to a sustainable energy system, it is critical that household consumers not only realize the need to invest in renewable energy sources (RES), but also have the real opportunity to do so. In this context, the association "Solar Academy Bulgaria" calls for the development and implementation of targeted programs to provide access to financing, motivation and support for households wishing to switch to green energy. The introduction of incentives such as tax breaks, subsidies and easier access to low-interest loans can significantly accelerate the transition to RES among domestic consumers.

Furthermore, the legislative framework should be adapted to reflect the specificities of multi-family buildings, which often face difficulties in implementing RES systems due to existing legal and technical limitations. Legislative changes are needed to facilitate the installation of photovoltaic panels and other renewable energy systems in such buildings, including the development of models for common investment and use of the energy produced.