Bulgaria’s energy regulator discussed the higher prices of heating

Bulgaria’s Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) on 26^th of September discussed the new higher heating prices as of 1st of October. According to the regulator's calculations, the prices of heating will rise by between 3 and 9%. A final decision on the new prices will be made at the end of the month.

The main reason for the increase is the rise in the price of natural gas by nearly 14%.

The Commission plans to increase the prices of heating and hot water by between 3 and 9%, for Sofia - by 8%. This is the second price increase after the end of the heating season. Thus, the overall increase will be between 7 and 23% and for Sofia it will be 16%.

During the open meeting, the district heating companies themselves opposed the proposed increase because they believe it is inadequate and will lead to losses. The ombudsman Maya Manolova spoke against the increase. In her words, there is a paradox - at lower price for natural gas, the price of the heating will be higher than it was in 2015. The chairman of the regulator explained this with the fact that "Sofia District Heating", for example, is has made large investments and therefore larger increase is necessary.

Maya Manolova, national ombudsman: The main requirement for such important decisions for the Bulgarina public is publicity and transparency, detailed argumentation and motivation. This requirement in this case is missing, which is a problem. It is also a problem that the working group that drafted this report to make a proposal for increase in the price of heating, has begun and ended work before a valid EWRC decision for the raise of natural gas price.

The chairman of the regulator EWR, Ivan Ivanov, defended himself with the words that there is enough information and anyone who wants can check how prices have changed in recent years. The final decision on the new prices of heating and hot water will be taken on October 1, when they are also expected to come into force.

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