Section: General | DISCOVER the ONE STOP SHOP - BULGARIA: IESDI illustrates the One Stop Shop's service(s) for the CEP's

Service Purpose and Scope

The CEP Real Life Modeling (CEP-RLM) service addresses one of the main barriers to Citizen Energy Projects (CEPs) in Bulgaria: complex, lengthy and uncertain administrative procedures for photovoltaic projects. With permitting processes involving numerous steps, extensive documentation and long timelines, many CEP initiatives struggle to progress beyond the early concept phase.

The service is designed to help municipalities and local stakeholders transform ideas into viable projects by providing integrated legal, technical and financial guidance. It supports decision-making at the earliest stages, helping initiators define feasible technological concepts and select the most appropriate legal form for their energy community, aligned with both project scale and community composition.

Integrated and Innovative Service Model

CEP-RLM is an all-inclusive one-stop shop service that combines consultancy, technical modelling and expert support across legal, engineering and financial dimensions. Support is delivered both in person and remotely, through consultations led by internal experts and specialised external professionals.

The service uses digital tools such as Sunny Design for technical modelling and plans to integrate additional advanced simulators and the DISCOVER platform to enhance scenario analysis, data management and decision support. By bringing all essential expertise into a single hub, the OSS simplifies fragmented support structures and empowers local actors to navigate complex regulatory and technological choices with confidence.

Feedback, Impact and Future Development

The service has been positively received by municipalities, facilitators and national stakeholders, with feedback directly influencing its final design. Investment documentation elements have been strengthened, and future integration of financial modelling and business-planning tools is planned. Particular attention will be given to supporting mixed-type energy community projects, increasing flexibility and applicability across diverse local contexts.

Looking ahead, next steps include aligning investment documentation with recent legal amendments, expanding financial simulation capabilities and broadening technological coverage beyond photovoltaics. Lessons learned from early Bulgarian energy communities and EU best practices will guide further refinement and scaling of the service, reinforcing its role in enabling resilient, community-driven renewable energy projects.

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Service Purpose and Scope

Integrated and Innovative Service Model

Feedback, Impact and Future Development

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