site.btaLiberalization of Electricity Market for Household Consumers Postponed Indefinitely

The liberalization of the electricity market for household consumers is postponed for an indefinite period of time, said Energy and Water Regulatory Commission Chair (EWRC) Plamen Mladenovski on Tuesday in Varna, where he participated in a working meeting on the problems of the electricity development of Varna Municipality.

He pointed out that this is being done based on the latest proposals presented on Monday to the Energy Committee of the Parliament, specifying that liberalization is only coming to the wholesale market.

"EWRC will continue to determine electricity prices for household consumers, there will be both a day and a night tariff," Mladenovski noted, adding that ordinary households will not even notice on their invoices that there are any changes. He also stated that electricity bills will not increase dramatically from July 1.

The lack of liberalization of the retail market will not lead to European sanctions for Bulgaria, he added and recalled that intensive negotiations have been conducted with the European Commission over the past few months in order for the Commission to agree to the liberalization of the wholesale market only.

On May 7, the National Assembly adopted at first reading two bills to the Energy Act that postpone the liberalization of the electricity market for household consumers.