Electricity market liberalization delayed with one year

The Bulgarian Parliament has finally postponed the liberalisation of the energy market for one year, starting from 1 July. The decision was taken with 152 votes in favour - of GERB-CDS, MRF, Vazrazhdane, "BSP for Bulgaria" and ITN. 35 PP-DB MPs abstained, and 7 others from the same group voted against.

With the adopted amendments to the Energy Act, the EWRC continues to set quotas for state-owned power plants for electricity produced for the regulated market, while the National Electricity Company retains its status as a public supplier for households until 1 July 2025 at prices set by the regulator.

Earlier today, lawmakers obliged the government to allocate BGN 250 million annually up to and including 2028 for land reclamation at state-owned Maritsa East Mines.

Later, at a meeting between Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, the Energy Minister and representatives of the energy sector unions, the Prime Minister said that the caretaker government had secured 250 million leva for the mines.

Today, a large-scale protest of miners was held in Sofia demanding the postponement of liberalisation and preservation of their jobs.