Bulgarian Energy Forum chairman Ivan Hinovski told radio Focus that the rise of electric power and heating prices of July 1 is inevitable, Energy World magazine’s portal reported. He added that the hike is reasonable as there are accumulated disproportions in the price of various products in the energy sector. “Heating power subsidizing is crosswise through the electricity price, which these thermal power plants generate, and it is natural process to put in place each of these products – i. e. heating power to get its real price for production, and electricity to restore its levels,” the expert said.
Deputy prime minister Tomislav Donchev, on the other hand, said earlier there is no reason for an increase in electricity prices or heating rates, Novinite agency reported. In an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio, he explained that his prediction was based on the condition of the system and the price of energy carriers.
Donchev said that the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR), an independent entity, would determine whether the demands for price hikes were reasonable. KEVR had published requests of energy companies for double-digit increases in prices of electricity, heating, and hot water in the new regulatory period starting in July, according to reports of Investor.bg. KEVR chairman Ivan Ivanov, however, suggested that electricity prices would not increase from July 1 and that the body is to rule on the demands within two months.
