site.btaEnergy Regulator Dispels Fears of Electricity Rationing

Energy Regulator Dispels Fears of Electricity Rationing

Sofia, January 24 (BTA) - The energy regulator Tuesday dispelled fears of impending electricity rationing. "The energy system works under big pressure due to the freezing temperatures but there is not going to be electricity rationing," the head of the Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission, Ivan Ivanov, told reporters.

He suggested that the ongoing talk of a dire straits in the energy sector is part of the political rhetoric ahead of the early general elections this spring and said the reality is that the Bulgarian energy sector has made considerable progress.

Ivanov said that the National Electricity Company has been financially stabilized, liberalization has started on the energy market and gas supplies have been diversified through interconnectors with Greece and Romania.

The Bulgarian Socialist Party warned Monday that the energy sector in Bulgaria is in a bad state that is beyond repairing after years of GERB mismanagement. They also warned that if the cold spells persists, Bulgaria has no electricity reserves and has turned into a high-risk factor in the region as a result of the emergency import of electricity it has had to make.

Ivanov also said that the regulator and the Energy Ministry have not established any violations during checks into how the three power distribution companies meter electricity consumption.

The three power distribution operators heeded the call of the regulator to postpone grid repairs and power meter replacements until after the winter.

In a separate development, the Bulgarian Energy and Mining Forum issued an appeal to households to save energy. They asked people to turn off all electrical appliances such as washing machines, dish washers, water heaters, vacuum cleaners and others, between 18:00 hrs and 20:00 hrs, if their use can be left for later.