70 MW of Renewable Capacities Await Licenses in Bulgaria

Around 70 MW of new renewable energy capacity await the completion of the licensing procedure at Bulgaria's State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR), according to DKEVR Chair Angel Semerdzhiev.

Semerdzhiev told journalists Tuesday that no producers of renewable electricity had been connected to the grid since July 1, 2012.

He made clear that the amount of renewable installations connected to the middle voltage networks of power distributors CEZ, EVN and Energo-Pro was bigger than the amount of renewable installations connected to the grid of the National Electric Company (NEK).

Semerdzhiev used the opportunity to speak in defense of the controversial fee introduced in September for access to the transmission and distribution networks by renewable electricity producers.

"We introduced the grid access fee for renewable energy producers because the additional expenses they incur, regardless of where they have been connected, constitute a burden for the entire system," the DKEVR Chair commented.

He complained that the renewable energy boom had had negative consequences for thermal power plants, the Electricity System Operator (ESO), and the National Electric Company (NEK).