The biggest challenge is the connection of all RES capacities to the distribution and transmission grids, according to Executive Director of the Electricity System Operator (ESO) Angelin Tsachev, who was one of the speakers on Friday at the national energy conference on the benefits and risks of RES and energy security. In his words, although Bulgaria has a very well-developed and balanced transmission grid, the rapid pace of deployment of more and more RES capacities is a huge challenge.
Over the last few years, ESO has been trying to make a serious plan for the development of the network following the wishes of investors. "Unfortunately, this has been very difficult so far because it was not clear which projects would be implemented," Tsachev added. He hopes that with the recent changes to the law on renewable energy, these problems will be reduced in terms of planning the development of the grid. The amendments to the law also introduce a special "fee" for investors, according to which a guarantee of BGN 50,000 must be paid for each megawatt of connected capacity of the future energy site within three months of receiving an opinion on the conditions and method of connection on the submitted application.
Another challenge is the balancing of the electricity system, Tsachev further said. According to him, no matter how positively renewable energy sources are seen, they are unreliable, which creates problems in regulating and balancing the electricity system not only in Bulgaria, but in the whole of Europe. It is for this reason that the state should encourage investment in storage systems, Tsachev explained.
The applications for new renewable energy capacities to be connected to Electrohold Bulgaria's grid have increased fivefold, said the company's CEO Karel Kral. According to him, applications should be grouped and addressed in bundles. Kral argued that there should be a "fast track" for those producing and using their own energy. In addition, there should be no unnecessary strain on the grid. Energy should be produced where it is used, the Electrohold CEO pointed out.
Nikolay Nalbantov from the Ministry of Energy added that the purpose of the amendments to the Energy from Renewable Sources Act is to implement reforms that are set out in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, related mainly to the development of the renewable energy sector.
Elenko Bozhkov from President Rumen Radev's Strategic Council added that a balance should be sought in the energy system. According to him, European money should be found both for the development of telemanagement at all levels of production and for the purchase of smart systems for all household users. He is of the opinion that a strategic council for the development of the energy sector should also be set up in which everyone should participate.
/RY/
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