BULGARIA STARTS TEST TRADING AT ITS ELECTRICITY POWER EXCHANGE

On 11th of December, Bulgaria started test trading on its electricity power exchange, on which traders and consumers will be able to buy and sell electricity at market-based prices.

Initially, the state-owned Thermal Power Plant “Maritsa-Iztok 2”, Nuclear Power Plant “Kozlodui” and National Electricity Company’s hydro power plants will provide electricity for sale at the day-ahead market. Subsequently, the US-owned plants and the other producers will participate.

The day-ahead power exchange is planned to start operations at the beginning of 2016.

Aa a start, it will not significantly influence the bills of the consumers. Until the full liberalization of the energy market in Bulgaria, households will have the opportunity to choose whether to purchase electricity from the exchange or to stay on the regulated market, where the prices are set by the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission.