- The procedure should be simplified as much as possible because bureaucracy creates conditions for abuse.
- The introduction of the net metering system will be a real incentive for people to invest
- The grid is being burdened by large renewable energy sources, the funds for its optimization will go into electricity bills
- In our country, the price of a kilowatt of power is 1 euro, and in Western Europe – 2-2.5 euros.
- ERPs do not comply with the legal deadline, they require unnecessary technical complications, says Dr. Eng. Dimitar Beleliev in a special interview for the newspaper STANDARD
The long-awaited procedure for supporting households to install a solar installation on their roof has started. This happened after the final approval by the European Commission. From May 9, the Ministry of Energy began the recruitment of application projects, which will last until November 10, 2023. The national scheme provides grant funding for the supply and installation of solar installations for domestic hot water supply, as well as photovoltaic systems with a capacity of up to 10 kWp, which may also include systems for storing the produced electricity. In order to receive funding, a project must relate to a dwelling where the applicant has a permanent address, in which an inefficient source of heat energy (stove, boiler, fireplace, etc.) using solid fuel (wood, coal, etc.) is used. The supply and installation of solar installations for hot water can be financed with no more than 1960.83 leva. Photovoltaic systems with a capacity of up to 10 kWp are financed up to 70%, but with no more than 15 thousand. The procedure provides for fully electronic submission of proposals at the following internet address: https://eumis2020.government.bg/.
What problems will the candidates face and what needs to be changed in the regulatory framework, commented to “Standart” Dr. Eng. Dimitar Beleliev. He has nearly 30 years of experience as a manager and investor in the energy sector. For 20 years he has been Chairman of the Board of Directors at “Central Energy Repair Base” EAD – a company for maintenance and service of electrical transformers and generators. 7-8 years ago he started dealing with photovoltaic power plants, and 2 years ago he founded a separate company for this activity – “AmonRa Energy” AD.
– Dr. Beleliev, amid the latest attempts to form a government, politicians seem to have forgotten about the important tasks in energy related to the “green” transition. What must necessarily be on the agenda of those in power – in a regular government or in a caretaker cabinet?
– With or without a government, life goes on. Now there is a drop in electricity prices, which is seasonal and is related to the larger water flows from the mountains. But the next energy problems are knocking at the door. And they will be related mostly to the electricity transmission network, where the load due to large RES projects will be great. Therefore, funds must be allocated for optimizing the network. But whatever these funds are – ours or European, these are costs that will weigh on the price of electricity for the end user, such as transmission fees, etc. Therefore, the state must invest in local systems as soon as possible – where it is consumed, there it is produced. So that we do not end up with subsidies again. In addition, Bulgaria is perhaps the only European country that has not yet freed up electricity prices for household consumers. Whether we want it or not, sooner or later this must be done. As well as the closure of the Maritsa Basin. The sooner this is done, the better.
– But how will the liberalization of electricity prices affect the end consumer? Politicians currently view consumers as voters and therefore do not dare to do it.
– The release of prices from regulated to market prices is not necessarily associated with an increase. On the contrary. With a proper national energy strategy, the exact opposite should happen.
– It’s good that the application program for financing household projects for photovoltaic systems on the roof has finally started. Is there interest in installing solar installations?
– The interest is huge. There are many question marks surrounding the procedure itself, but it’s better than nothing.
– Is there a change in prices? With the high demand, will the investment level of around 20,000 leva for a 10 kilowatt power plant remain the same?
– Currently, prices are stable, the growth trend has stopped. In Bulgaria, the price is about 1 euro per kilowatt of installed capacity, in Western Europe it is 2-2.5 euros, with the same equipment.
– What problems do those who want to install a solar power installation face?
– The main problem is the extremely heavy bureaucratic machine for obtaining permits and putting into operation. It’s just terrible! They justify it by saying that there were many connections. But whether you include a building or include a photovoltaic – for the ERP, the procedure is practically the same. Why then when you do construction, the problems are not so clearly expressed, and when you want to include a photovoltaic installation or other RES – they are much more serious? It’s clear why – the ERPs and the ESO do not benefit from RES, because they directly hit their revenues.
I’ll give an example. Inverters have mandatory protections against overvoltage, etc. Our ERP obliges you to make separate boards that duplicate these protections. This is not necessary, especially with such small powers and voltages. In Western Europe, you put the inverter in and connect it directly to the grid, since it has all the necessary protections. And in Bulgaria they require an extremely stupid technical complication. This is money thrown away.
All procedures must be simplified as much as possible. And the deadlines set out in the current procedures must be respected. And if they do not respect them, the relevant authorities and companies must be held financially responsible. They cannot legally have 1 month to respond, and then delay for 3 months, after which they can set new requirements. Bureaucracy is a prerequisite for informal costs. The simpler a system is, the more protected it is from subjective abuses. Therefore, we must make the system simple and responsible for all parties.
The other thing that needs to be paid attention to is net metering. I don’t know if there is another country in Europe that hasn’t introduced it. It allows you to pay only the difference between the energy produced and consumed, if any. And if you have produced more energy, you can transfer it to the next month. This is the only way to really stimulate the process of using solar panels on private homes – a direct incentive for investments, without the state spending money. You install, produce, when you consume – you pay the difference.
– We will address these recommendations to the authorities – whether to a new cabinet or to a caretaker government. The important thing is to pay attention.
– Whatever the power, it bears responsibility. If the caretaker government has the courage to make and propose energy strategies, it should be able to make the necessary changes to make the system work. The most important thing is to simplify it as much as possible.
