Bulgarian Development Minister Discreetly Backs Power Utilities

Bulgaria's regional development minister Rosen Plevneliev (L) discussing matters with economy and energy minister Traicho Traikov at a sitting of the Bulgarian cabinet. Photo by BGNES.

The Bulgarian energy market should be radically liberalized and not governed by an overarching state regulator, according to Bulgarian minister of regional development Rosen Plevneliev.

The prices of electrical power and natural gas depend on a multitude of factors and the market should be left to shape them, called Plevneliev in an interview with the Bulgarian National Television.

Referring to recent controversy about the policy of electrical power utilities in their price-formation, Plevneliev said that we should stop putting all the blame to the utilities and should direct our attention to the role the state has had in shaping the present situation.

Plevneliev's statement comes just before a discussion later Thrusday on price hikes proposed by the state regulator – the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation. The hikes are up to 2% for electricity and up to 25-30% for natural gas.

The Bulgarian regional development minister also stressed the need to raise energy efficiency in the country. Bulgaria's industry has a chronic problem of notoriously low energy efficiency.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!