In connection with the severe energy crisis and the need to normalize the work of the hydropower sector, a meeting was held between NEK and the Hydropower Association. Three main topics, key for the activity of HPPs in Bulgaria, were discussed.
First of all, the property status of hydropower plants was discussed, which needs to be regulated by legislative changes. Secondly, the Ordinance on the Use of Surface Water, voted in the last days of the previous regular government and adopted without proper public discussion, was discussed, trying to supplement the law through a bylaw by the administrative body, which is a gross violation of administrative procedure rules and is in direct contradiction with the norms of the respective law. NEK together with the Hydropower Association will insist before the Ministry of Environment and Water on finalizing the procedure for amending this Ordinance by a decision of the Council of Ministers.
The third topic was the discussion of the River Basin Management Plans (RBMP 2022-2027), which envisage drastic restrictions in the sector, some of which are related to further increase of the minimum ecological runoff. In the current situation of energy crisis, the methodology needs to be precisely prepared, based on objective and clear criteria, taking into account the complex nature of the social, environmental and economic effects that will be caused by its implementation in order to meet the the need for an adequate allowable share of the electricity produced by HPPs in the energy mix of Bulgaria.
NEK and the Hydropower Association have very close positions on the three topics, as synchronized work in the direction of solving the priority tasks is forthcoming, as well as the formation of joint official opinions on some of the topics.