Nikola Gazdov, Chair of the Bulgarian Photovoltaic Association (BPVA), has insisted that renewable energy producers must not be discriminated against.

In a Thursday interview for investor.bg, Gazdov suggested that the grid access fee paid by renewable producers does not apply to thermal power plants or the Kozloduy NPP.

He was invited to state his opinion in connection with an open letter sent to Prime Minister Boyko Borisov on January 20 by the BPVA.

The letter reminded Borisov of his personal commitment to promote investments in the sector.

"Your personal commitment gave hope to 1300 despairing producers of renewable energy," the letter said.

Meanwhile, the State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR) announced that it would approve the Terms and Conditions for Access to the Power Distribution Grid by Renewable Energy Producers on January 25.

Renewable energy industry representatives fear that the document will be approved without any public debate organized by the energy watchdog.

In his Thursday statement, Gazdov argued that the terms and conditions were unfair, catering exclusively to the interests of power distributors.

He note that the terms and conditions, apart from setting the grid access fee, also stated that renewable energy plants could be disconnected from the grid at the discretion of power distributors, without being entitled to any compensation.

"All possible interpretations are to our damage. Producers of renewable energy are presented as harmful elements who must be penalized," Gazdov remarked.

He reiterated the demand of renewable energy producers that the terms and conditions must not be adopted without public debate, adding that BPVA representatives planned to attend the January 25 DKEVR meeting.

"After all, DKEVR is not supposed to team up with power distributors but to be an arbiter," Gazdov stated, voicing hopes that the parties would engage in constructive dialogue.