Bulgarian Energy Minister Hints at Regulatory Changes, Senior-Level Reshuffle

Bulgaria's caretaker Economy and Energy Minister Asen Vasilev has said that the country's energy sector needs a set of urgent measures, including regulatory changes and a senior-level reshuffle at state-owned companies.photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's caretaker Economy and Energy Minister Asen Vasilev has said that the country's energy sector needs a set of urgent measures, including regulatory changes and a senior-level reshuffle at state-owned companies.

Speaking Friday at a press conference, Vasilev said that the proposals for regulatory changes had been agreed after talks with all interested parties, including miners, the management of the Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH), renewable energy producers and representatives of power distributors.

Vasilev refused to disclose information about the concrete changes which Bulgaria's Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism or the State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR) would seek to introduce.

He explained that the measures had been discussed with industry representatives and would be officially announced on Monday after the final consultations had been wrapped up.

"There is pressure in all segments of the energy sector which has accumulated mainly due to the poor management of the sector in the past 20 years" he commented.

Vasilev was positive that there would be a senior-level reshuffle at the Bulgarian Energy Holding but noted that the concrete names would be announced in the coming weeks.