BULGARIA’S ENERGY MINISTER PROPOSES THREE TIMES HIGHER FINES TO COMBAT ELECTRICITY THEFT

Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy Temenuzhka Petkova proposed legislative changes to introduce three times higher fines for electricity theft. She made the proposal during a discussion dedicated to problems in the sector.

The discussion was held on 27th of September and attended by the three electricity distribution companies in Bulgaria.

According to reports, the damages from electricity theft amount to 6.5 million BGN every year.

The minister proposed the sanction for electricity theft per Kilowatt-Hour to be increased from 7 to 20 stotinki and the term for the penalty to increase from 3 to 6 months.

The minister said that a working group would be set up to draft the new amendments to the legislation.

She has explained that currently, those who steal electricity pay on prices for technological expenses, which are approximately 6 stotinki per KWH, while the loyal clients pay 13-15 stotinki per KWH, adding that such injustice should not be tolerated.