Bulgaria’s Biggest Solar Plan Stalled in Court

Suhindol Solar Park Faces Legal Setback After Local and Environmental Complaints

Environmental organizations and residents in Suhindol, north-central Bulgaria, are pushing back against a planned EUR 450 million hybrid renewable energy project that would combine a 500 MW solar park with 1 GWh of battery storage. Opponents argue the development would significantly reduce available agricultural land in the municipality, while the investor says it is ready to implement environmental safeguards and a community support program.

Court Cancels Approval for Preliminary Works

Following complaints filed by environmental groups, the Administrative Court in Veliko Tarnovo overturned the approval for preliminary works on a hybrid power plant planned across 945 hectares (almost 9.5 square kilometers) near Suhindol.

The project is being led by Wabi-Sabi Alpha, a company linked to Austria-based Green Source Group. The firm had received the go-ahead two weeks earlier from the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water (RIEW) in Veliko Tarnovo.

500 MW Solar Park With 1 GWh Batteries

Through its project company, Wabi-Sabi Alpha plans to build a solar facility with 500 MW peak capacity, supported by battery storage designed for 250 MW operating power and 1 GWh capacity, as reported by Kapital.

If completed, it would become Bulgaria’s largest photovoltaic project, though the development is structured into five separate units. These would connect to the national transmission grid through a 400 kV substation.

The company secured municipal land under a 36-year lease, with total investment estimated at EUR 450 million.

Land Use Concerns: Arable Land and Pastures in Focus

Environmentalists, including the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB/BDZP), along with local residents, claim the investor began cutting trees and bushes before all procedures were completed.

Critics warn the project could affect:

• Nearly 11% of the municipality’s arable land

• Around 40% of its pastures

• About 6% of Suhindol’s overall territory

While the hybrid power plant would physically cover about 30% of the designated project area—spread across multiple separate plots—opponents stress that the entire zone would be reclassified as industrial land.

Some local voices have also raised concerns about potential impacts on wildlife habitats, protected areas and species, and the proximity of archaeological sites. Opponents argue that the environmental assessment process was treated as a formality rather than a rigorous review.

Investor Offers Community Program and Compensation

Wabi-Sabi Alpha says it is prepared to go beyond the measures required by the environmental authorities. The firm has outlined a community program that includes:

• Compensation for affected farmers

• Covering electricity costs for several municipal buildings

• Paying for street lighting, which it would also replace

• Sponsorship support for the local football club, among other initiatives

Green Source’s Regional Footprint

Green Source Group is active across multiple markets in Central and Southeastern Europe, including Romania, Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. The company established Wabi-Sabi Alpha together with LSG Group and Core Value Capital.

Wider Resistance to Large Renewable Projects

The dispute in Suhindol comes amid a broader trend in Bulgaria, where citizens and activist groups have campaigned in recent years against several large-scale renewable energy developments, often citing land use, biodiversity, and transparency concerns.