Alpha research polls: Three-quarters of Bulgarian households experience difficulties because of rising electricity prices

In the situation of energy crisis and increase in electricity prices, three quarters of Bulgarian households are experiencing difficulties and are trying to take steps to reduce the price shock on their family budgets. Assessments of the state's efforts to tackle the crisis remain critical, and expectations of the impact of tensions between Russia and Ukraine are pessimistic. Uncertainty about the reasons for the sharp rise in prices further contributes to this criticism, as it does not allow people to make a realistic assessment of whether or not the government is moving in the right direction. These are some of the conclusions of an express poll conducted by Alpha Research polling agency in partnership with BNT's weekly programme “Referendum”.

Of the consumers who said that they were affected by rising electricity prices, 49% said that they were trying to limit use of electricity, 38% were turning to use the cheaper electricity at night, 28% were turning to other sources of heating and energy, while 22% said that they were replacing some appliances with more energy efficient ones.

A quarter said that they were not taking any steps, some because of inability to limit the consumption of electricity further and some because they did not rely on electricity for heating.

At the same time, the opinion about the measures taken by the state to support businesses and households is contradictory. Only 10% express an entirely positive view on the measures.

The prevailing view is that some things are done, but not all opportunities are used (49%).

Significant is the share of the most dissatisfied and aggrieved, according to which the state does not take measures (41%).

The polling agency said that if negative views of the role of the government in dealing with the energy crisis grew, this could lead to social tensions with unpredictable effects.

63% of those polled said that the reasons for the increase in the price of electricity remain unclear to them.

37% are of the opposite opinion, defining themselves as informed. In itself, this is a serious problem for the government's communication policy, as the crisis, which affects the majority of Bulgarian households and directly affects their lives and consumption, remains unexplained.

Respectively, when people did not know why there was a crisis, they could not evaluate whether the measures taken were right or wrong, the agency said.

The expectations of the Bulgarians for the development of the energy crisis are polarized.

54% fear that there could be rolling blackouts (planned power outages) and 55% fear the deterioration of the situation as a result of tensions around Russia and Ukraine.

Households are doing everything in their power to reduce the effects of the crisis. This, combined with the belief in untapped opportunities, makes people more sensitive to the actions of those in power.

Every mistake of the government would provoke public criticism, but every successful step would receive timely approval.

The poll, by Alpha Research, was done among 403 households on January 31.

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