Bulgartransgaz EAD submitted an application for certification of the company as an independent transmission operator to the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC). After examining the facts and circumstances for compliance with the criteria for independence, by its Decision of 20.02.2015, the Regulator approved the draft Decision on Bulgartransgaz EAD certification as an independent transmission operator. SEWRC has established full compliance of the company with the certification criteria, as well as with the requirements for independence under the effective European legislation.
The draft Decision on Bulgartransgaz EAD certification as an independent transmission operator has already been notified to the European Commission. Within two months of the day of receipt of the notification on the Decision, the EC should give its opinion on the conformity of the decision with the requirements and procedures of the European Union for certification of transmission system operators.
With the entry into force of the Third Energy Liberalisation Package, Directive 2009/73/EC and Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 stipulate in detail the requirements and procedures for certification of transmission system operators. These requirements have been transposed in the Bulgarian legislation in the Energy Act and Ordinance No 3 of 21.03.2013 on licensing of the activities in the Energy sector.
The EU Member States can select among three regulated models of operators. At present the model Independent transmission operator - ITO has been implemented in the Republic of Bulgaria. Following this model, the transmission operator and the network assets are established into separate legal entity within the vertically integrated undertaking. The selection of this model was set out in the Transitional and Final Provisions of the Energy Act.