Bulgaria faces sanctions from European Commission for failing to speed up renewable energy permits

The European Commission has called on Bulgaria and 25 other EU countries to introduce a fast-track approval procedure for renewable energy projects.

The new rules should have been in place by 1 July this year. The EC has launched infringement procedures and has already sent formal letters to all countries except Denmark, which met the deadline.

The rules provide for simplified and accelerated authorisation procedures, including for projects aimed at integrating additional renewable energy into the electricity grid.

Bulgaria, like the other countries listed by the EC, has two months to adopt the rules to speed up procedures. Failure to do so could lead to a penalty procedure.