site.btaEnergy Regulator Closes Procedure for Delicensing of EVN Power Distributor

Sofia, August 8 (BTA) - The energy regulator has closed a procedure for delicensing power distributor EVN Bulgaria. An announcement about the decision has been published on the regulator's website on Tuesday.

EVN is one of three power-distribution companies, taking electricity to the entire southern and southeastern Bulgaria.

In March 2014, the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC) initiated procedures for the withdrawal of the licence for the activity of electricity supply to the public issued to EVN Bulgaria Elektrosnabdiavane, CEZ Electro Bulgaria AD and ENERGO-PRO Sales AD. The action followed complaints by the National Electric Company (NEK) that the three electricity distribution company were unlawfully offsetting against their receivables and failing to pay up amounts for hundreds of millions of leva due for electricity, for which reason the public provider encountered serious difficulties settling its own obligations to electricity producers.

According to information provided by NEK as of the time of launch of the delicensing procedures, the amounts due by the three power distributors totalled 347.6 million leva: 216.6 million from EVN, 67.3 million from CEZ, and 63.7 million from ENERGO-PRO.

The regulator's decision to end the procedure for EVN has been made at a closed-door sitting. More details are expected to be published later.