Bulgaria: first certificates of origin for renewable energy

The first certificates of origin have been granted to renewable energy producers by Bulgaria’s State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission.  

Around 412 certificates have been granted – for 12 months to producers with up to 1 MW of installed capacity and for 6 months to producers with installed capacity above 1 MW.

Each certificate is an official, non-transferable document that identifies the producer, the amount of electricity generated from renewable energy sources, the production period, the power plant and its installed capacity. Only electricity with a certificate of origin may be classified as being from a renewable energy source. 

The State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission is also required to create and maintain a register of  certificates on its official website, containing information about renewable energy producers, including: 

• their name
• the location of the power plant
• the total installed capacity
• the period and amount of electricity sold
• all certificates of origin granted and revoked