Sofia Heating Price Hike Near 30% Sparks Backlash Over Household Costs

The Ombudswoman institution has voiced strong opposition to the proposed increase in heating prices in Sofia, which is expected to approach nearly 30 percent. According to the position sent by Ombudswoman Velislava Delcheva to the Chair of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC), Plamen Mladenovski, such a rise is described as unacceptable given its potential impact on households.

Delcheva argues that the suggested adjustment would place an excessive burden on families that are already under significant financial strain. She notes that many consumers are struggling with rising living costs, and a sharp increase in heating bills would further deepen that pressure.

In her statement, the Ombudswoman highlights that current economic and geopolitical instability, including tensions in the Middle East affecting energy markets, should not automatically justify passing higher costs directly onto end users. She stresses that price setting must consider the broader social context and not rely solely on market fluctuations.

She further warns that it is inappropriate for essential services such as heating to become significantly more expensive at a time when incomes are not rising at a comparable rate. In her view, energy security policies should not come at the expense of household financial stability.

Delcheva also points to growing public dissatisfaction with district heating services, citing concerns over high bills, unclear pricing structures, and perceived unfairness. According to her, the proposal arrives in an environment where trust in the system is already weakened.

The Ombudswoman institution continues to receive complaints from citizens struggling to pay electricity and heating costs. Delcheva warns that further price increases could push more households into debt and increase the risk of energy poverty.

She raises additional concerns about transparency, noting that “Toplofikatsiya Sofia” has stopped publishing data on over- or under-recovered revenues resulting from forecast assumptions in regulated prices. She also points out that for the majority of the current price period, the company has purchased natural gas at lower-than-expected prices compared to those used in setting heat tariffs.

In this context, she calls on EWRC to carry out a precise and objective assessment of any excess revenue generated by “Toplofikatsiya Sofia” during the 2025–2026 price period and to reflect the findings in the pricing decisions effective from July 1, 2026.

Delcheva also insists that the quality of heating services and the execution of repair and investment programs by “Toplofikatsiya Sofia” and other companies in the sector must be taken into account when determining final prices.

She urges the regulator to conduct a comprehensive and transparent review of all elements included in the proposed price increase and warns against approving adjustments automatically without clear and publicly justified reasoning. She emphasizes that any financial burden should be distributed fairly rather than placed entirely on consumers.

The Ombudswoman calls for full transparency, insisting that EWRC publish all applications for new prices submitted by district heating companies, ensuring public access and openness throughout the decision-making process.