Parliament ran out of time before MPs could vote at second reading on changes to the Renewable Energy Act. They debated the amendments, but plenary time ran out.
The bill, from the Council of Ministers, completes Bulgaria's adoption of EU Directive 2023/2413 on promoting renewable energy, which repeals Council Directive (EU) 2015/652. Bulgaria was due to do this by 21 May 2025.
The text says EU member states should work together faster on joint renewable energy projects. It also sets new requirements for renewables acceleration areas. In priority areas, local communities will be encouraged to take part in energy projects.
The bill extends how long grid connection opinions stay valid for wind power producers. It also adds incentives for decentralised power generation and storage, steps to raise the share of renewable heat, and a system to issue and trade credits for renewable electricity used in transport.
Stefan Tsankov of Progressive Bulgaria (PB) said the changes cut red tape and give the whole energy sector clearer and more predictable rules.
Kosta Stoyanov of Vazrazhdane proposed that the law take effect 3 years after it is published in the State Gazette. "We are not against the renewable energy law, but we are against the way changes to it are being proposed," he said.
Stoyanov said no changes should be made until the strategic documents are ready. He said a delay is needed so that an energy strategy and a regulation on hygiene requirements for protecting human health and the environment can be adopted. Bulgaria has had no strategy for more than 7 years because the last one expired and no one is working on a new one, he said.
Lorin Lorinkov of PB replied that the law meets a duty under an EU directive and the deadlines have already passed. He believes a delay would raise the risk of follow-up action and financial penalties.
Ivo Tsanev of the DPS proposed that the plan for the priority areas be agreed with the mayors of the municipalities that fall within them, both when it is drawn up and at each update. The DPS wants the plan to be updated every 2 years.
Tsanev said the approval would halt the procedure only for a set period, until the mayors say whether they agree. Regular updates, he said, would show how a given area is developing.
Rashko Dinkov of PB did not back the DPS proposals in this form. He said municipalities already take part through public consultations and the environmental assessment. "Adding another approval step that can halt the procedure goes against our main aim – to speed up the growth of renewable energy," Dinkov said.
He believes reviewing the plan every two years would bring needless instability for long-term investment. What is needed is working procedures, predictability and clear rules, not repeating the same texts, he said.
By 2030, the EU aims to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% from 1990 levels.