Updated last 26.03.2021
This section provides the following information:
- General information as to the connection to the heat transmission network;
- Information as to who can connect and who can offer the heat transmission service;
- Information concerning the connection procedure:
- Filing written application for a survey of the technical feasibility;
- Preliminary survey for the connection of the site, by virtue of which the heat transmission company determines the technical conditions, method, point or place and term;
- Preparation of the investment project of the connected site and its submission to the heat transmission company to check the compliance with the technical conditions for the connection prior to its submission for approval;
- Conclusion of preliminary agreement for non-household needs;
- Construction of the heat transmission facilities;
- Conclusion of connection and supply agreement.
General information
The term “heat transmission network” is defined in paragraph 1, point 65 of the additional provisions of the Energy Act (EA). Heat transmission network is a system of heat pipelines and technological facilities located between the boundaries of ownership of the heat transmission enterprise with the heat source and/or the clients, serving for transmission of heating power from the heat source to the clients.
Who can connect and who can offer the service?
Owners and persons to whom material right to construction is established or right to use a property can connect to the heat supply network. The heat supply service is provided by the respective heat transmission company, while the operational management of the heat supply system is performed by a heat transmission network operator, which is a specialized unit of the heat transmission company.
What is the procedure for connection to the heat transmission network?
 | Filing written application for a survey of the technical feasibility |
For newly contracted sites, within the phase of investment planning and permission of construction, the applicants submit to the body authorized to issue design permits an application (in a form approved by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works) for issuing a design permit, in which, on the grounds of art. 140а, para. 1 of the Spatial Development Act (SDA), the applicant may request to be provided with the output data necessary for the design and for the connection to the heat transmission network. In such case, the administrative body shall send the application to the heat transmission company for submission of the requested output data (where no fee shall be due), necessary for the preparation of the investment project and the conditions for connection to the network.
| Important to know | |
 | The approved template of the application can be found on the website of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works. |
Persons who would like to connect to the heat transmission network existing sites or sites, for which there is a design permit issued, whereby the output data and conditions for connection to the heat transmission network are not specified, file with the heat transmission company written application for a survey of the terms and conditions and method for connection of the site to the heat transmission network. The application is filed in a standard form approved by the heat transmission company. A document for paid fee for the survey for the connection shall be attached thereto.
Art. 26, para 1 of the Ordinance No. Е-RD-04-1 of 12 March 2020 on the heat transmission, issued by the Minister of Energy (the “Ordinance”) sets out the contents and complete set of documents required upon filing of the application.
| Important to know | |
| The templates and the other documents required for filing of the written application may differ in the different regions and in the different district heating companies. Check the proper templates on the website or directly at the respective operator in the area where it operates.
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 | Preliminary survey for the connection of the site by virtue of which the heat transmission company determines the technical conditions, method, point or place and deadline |
The heat transmission company carries out a survey for the connection to the heat transmission network and provides an opinion on the conditions for the connection within 14 days from the receipt of the application.
Within the same period, the heat transmission company may refuse to connect a producer or customer and has to justify the reasons for the refusal in writing.
The refusal may be appealed by virtue of an appeal filed with the specific heat transmission operator that has rejected the connection and addressed to the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC).
 | Preparation of an investment project for the connected site and submission to the heat transmission company for inspection of the compliance with the technical conditions for the connection prior to its submission for approval by the competent administrative body |
The investment project are prepared by designers and may be developed in the following phases:
- Conceptual design;
- Technical design;
- Detailed working project (blueprints and details).
 | Conclusion of a connection agreement for non-household needs |
A connection agreement shall be signed following the completion of the survey and the issue of the opinion by the heat transmission company with regard to the conditions for connection, and after the completion of these conditions by the client of heat energy for non-household needs.
The provisions of art. 20, para. 3 and art. 27, para. 2 of the Ordinance set out the contents of the connection agreement.
Upon signing of the connection agreement, the client of heat energy for non-household needs shall submit:
- For legal entities – a document for commercial/business registration;
- Notarized power of attorney for the person authorized to represent the client of heat energy for non-household needs, when the agreement shall be signed by a proxy;
- Approved investment project and construction permit for the site and the facilities that are to be connected to the network.
Some of the heat transmission companies have templates of the application for signing a connection agreement published on their websites.
 | Construction of the heat transmission facilities |
According to art. 136, para 1 of the EA in connecting a client of heat power for non-household purposes the connecting pipelines and their facilities, as well as the junction, shall be constructed by and for the account of the client and shall be his property.
 | Conclusion of supply agreement and putting into operation of the connecting heat pipelines and facilities to them |
The heat transmission company shall put into regular operation the connecting heat pipelines and the facilities to them after fulfilment of the technical conditions for connection and when the following documents are made available:
- Use permit for the site and the connection facilities;
- document for paid connection price;
- a written contract for the sale of heat energy under general conditions.
Detailed list of the steps in the procedure for connection to the heat transmission network of Sofia Municipality may be found on the website of Toplofikatsiya Sofia. You can contact the respective company in the region where your business operates to obtain information about the specific procedure of the other municipal companies.
| Term | Many of the deadlines in the procedure for the connection to the heat transmission networks are set out in the connection agreement and by the specific operator. |
| Fee | The fees for the various stages during the procedure to connect to the heat transmission network are specific for each company providing the service. |
| For more information | |
 | More information on the indicative fees for the provision of services related to the supply of heating energy is available at the website of Toplofikatsiya Sofia EAD and the other heat distribution companies operating throughout the country. |