The proposals for changes in the Renewable Energy Act published by the National Committee of the World Energy Council are submitted between the first and second reading of the Energy Act. The amendments propose the distribution network operators to carry out a procedure for reserving future RES capacity by June 30 of each year. Subsequently, the transmission system operator (ESO) will approve or not the RES project by the end of the year. The transmission system operator, will have to approve a plan for the construction of technical infrastructure for the connection of the requested future RES capacities by the end of the respective calendar year. In case of a positive answer from ESO, the applicant and the operator of the respective network (DSOs or ESO) conclude a contract for reservation of future capacities. It determines the terms and obligations of the parties, including the term for concluding a preliminary agreement for network access.
The Operator of the respective electricity network – regardless of whether it is the transmission operator or one of the four electricity distribution companies – will have to rule on each application within 14 days. If the application is admissible, he has to pay within 14 days a deposit for technical research in the amount of BGN 5,000 for each megawatt (MW) of installed capacity on the future energy site. If it is found that the site cannot be connected to the grid, the deposit is refunded.
The amendments are published at (only in Bulgarian): http://www.wec-bulgaria.org/download_file/view/180/
Source: National committee of Bulgaria for the World energy council, 3e-news