SANS launches a probe into energy regulator, Bulgarian Energy Holding and the Energy Exchange

Agents of Bulgaria’s State Agency for National Security (SANS) launched a probe into the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) in the morning on September 23. The energy regulator refused to make statements. They explained that they were assisting the inspecting agents, provided all the documents and full access to the commission's computer system.

SANS did not tell them exactly what they were checking.

According to BNT sources, SANS is conducting an inspection in several areas. One is on the price of electricity on the free market, the second is on the control over the implementation of the investment programmes of the water supply and sewerage companies, and the third is on the applications for setting the price of heat in the past year.

SANS confirmed for BNT that they are conducting an inspection at the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission and the Bulgarian Energy Holding. According to the BNT sources, SANS is checking a series of deals and contracts in BEH, including those for the construction of gas transmission infrastructure.

SANS agents have also started a check in the Bulgarian Independent Energy Exchange. From there they require documents for transactions with electricity on the free market in the recent 9 months.

Documents have already been seized from the National Electricity Company, the Electricity System Operator and the Bulgarian Energy Holding.

According to the BNT sources, SANS is also checking data on speculative purchase of electricity on the free market, which has led to a deficit and a sharp increase in prices.