Bulgaria terminates incentives for new renewable energy installations

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Bulgaria's parliament decided to terminate preferential prices for renewable energy installations on Thursday.

The country, the poorest in the European Union, is struggling with deficits in the energy sector, and consumers’ utility bills are high.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Photovoltaic solar farms and wind farms picked up momentum in 2011 when Bulgaria began giving subsidies for renewable energy, which it guaranteed for 20 years. They also committed to buying the energy produced by these farms. Since then, the cost has been growing. Bulgaria met its 2020 target for 16% share of renewable energy at the end of 2013.

The incentives that have been given to the plants that are already running will still be in place.

NEK, the public power provider, according to these amendments, will not be required to purchase power at the preferential prices from heating plants that cannot prove they are energy efficient.

Various factors including the rise of renewable energy, the offered incentives, and high costs for long-term power purchase agreements have caused NEK’s deficit to reach 3.3 billion levs (US$1.89 billion).

Parliament also approved more independance for the energy regulator increasingly and to have its members elected by parliament and not the government.  

Read Next

September 16, 2025
Sunotec has launched Sunotec Nordic to spearhead solar and hybrid renewable project development across the Nordic region.
September 16, 2025
The SPPC has launched a request for qualifications for 5.3GW of new renewable power capacity, of which solar will account for 3.1GW.
September 16, 2025
Chinese polysilicon producer GCL-Tech has entered into a strategic financing agreement with Infini Capital, a globally renowned investment institution backed by a Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund.
Premium
September 16, 2025
At RE+, industry leaders pointed to the resilience of the US solar sector, despite challenges brought by the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' Act.
September 16, 2025
IB Solar is investing INR30 billion (US$340 million) in a 4GW TOPCon solar cell and module manufacturing plant in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh.
September 16, 2025
Two of the major European solar trade associations, the European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) and SolarPower Europe (SPE), have called for EU policymakers to take measures supporting European solar manufacturing.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines