Staff Reduction Looms for Bulgaria's Energy Watchdog

Bulgaria’s Economy and Energy Minister, Traicho Traikov, says to artificially reduce gas prices is currently a bad strategy. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

Bulgaria’s Economy and Energy Minister, Traicho Traikov, announced Monday significant personnel changes are forthcoming at the State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR).

Traikov, who spoke during a forum dedicated to the competitive power of Bulgaria’s economy, said the changes will be implemented along with the amendments in the Energy Act and the number of DKEVR members will go down to 7 from the current 13.

The Minister, however, did not offer more details, only saying the terms of 5 DKEVR members expire on June 24, and they must be replaced.

The Chair of the State Regulator, Angel Semerdzhiev, is expected to keep the post. He was appointed by Traikov’s cabinet of the ruling Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party after the expiration of the second term of his predecessor, Konstantin Shushulov.

GERB already replaced and reduced staff at the Communications Regulator, The Council for Electronic Media and the Commission for Monitoring of Finances,

During the weekend, Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, said half of the DKEVR members have ties with the electric power utilities, accusing them of halting the progress in the sector.

Traikov said Monday he had not read the report about the DKEVR audit of the electric utilities, but had been briefed by Semerdzhiev, adding crimes must be prosecuted, violations of the licensing - fined and financial violations – reported to the Revenue Agency.

In addition to the power utilities audits and electric power prices, DKEVR must rule on the increase of the price of natural gas. The last proposal is a 25% hike, beginning July 1. Traikov says he would not interfere, because the artificial lowering of the gas price is not a good strategy.

“Last time we took a chance, expecting gas prices will go down and this will compensate for the price reduction. But the situation now is exactly the opposite,” the Minister said regarding his order to reduce gas prices by 5% starting April 1.

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