site.btaUPDATED Energy Regulator Head Expects Natgas Price Fall in Coming Months

Bulgaria's Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) Chair Plamen Mladenovski said on Bulgarian National Television Tuesday morning that hopes the price of natural gas to decline by at least 10% in the coming months, considering the slump of prices on the global markets.

He pointed out that the EWRC was able to lower the April natgas price by 14.3 percentage points from March thanks to cheaper Azeri gas supplies and reduced consumption. 

Mladenovski, however, would not commit to a long-term projection of the natural gas price.

"The tariffs imposed by US President Trump last week have pressed down the price of oil and, depending on how long these tariffs will last, it will become evidence whether this trend will endure," he pointed out. 

"Considering the war in Ukraine and the volatility of the markets, a persistent price increase or decrease cannot be predicted, but isolated events cause dives and spikes of the price of both natural gas and the other energy resources," the EWRC head commented.

Referring to the steep rise in the prices of heat and hot water as from July 1, 2025 that some of the district heating companies have applied for, Mladenovski said that the utilities are bidding up to hedge themselves against unexpected fluctuations in natural gas prices, energy prices on the free market and the prices of carbon allowances. "After adjustment by the EWRC, their claims prove unfounded," he pointed out. 

The interviewee said that the financial difficulties experienced by Toplofikacia Sofia are due to previous periods and debts for natural gas which are like a millstone around the management's neck.

The expert warned that if the price of the service becomes unaffordable, most consumers will switch to heating by electricity.

Mladenovski said that consumers will not be affected adversely by the liberalization of the household electricity market planned for July 1. In his words, if the liberalization is postponed, as some parliamentary groups propose, electricity will continue to be supplied at regulated prices. If the liberalization goes ahead, there is a ready plan to provide compensations so as to avoid steep increases of the bills.

The EWRC noted the serious problems besetting the water and sewerage sector and the need of various forms of financing, including with EU funds. In dry years like 2024 and 2025, especially when water supply is rationed, losses increase and water quality deteriorates.

Mladenovski said that the EWRC will build public confidence in itself by working more transparently and explaining while a particular decision has to be adopted.