site.btaEnergy and Water Regulatory Commission: Electricity, Heating Prices Increase Starting July 1

Sofia, July 1 (BTA) - The price of electricity goes up by 1.5 per cent for household consumers starting July 1, said here on Saturday Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) Chair Ivan Ivanov, following a closed-doors meeting of the Commission.

In addition to electricity, EWRC also set the prices of natural gas and heating.

Customers of the CEZ electricity distributor will have to pay 2 per cent more starting July 1, 2017, while those of EVN - 1.7 per cent more, and those of Energo Pro - 0.41 per cent. The average price increase adds up to 1.5 per cent for all household consumers.
 
Ivanov said that EWRC continues to work towards its three main goals - the creation of a transparent electricity market, a sustainable regulatory framework, and the financial reinforcement of companies in the energy sector. One of the biggest achievements is the fact that Bulgarian consumers do not feel the burden of the comprehensive reform in the energy sector, which is in its third year now, he added. 

The total electricity price increase for the past three years is 2.5 per cent. "We will do everything possible to prevent Bulgarian consumers from feeling the additional burden in the upcoming years," Ivanov said.

The price of natural gas in the third quarter of 2017 increases by 1 per cent for household consumers, and by 1.91 per cent for around 120 large industrial enterprises.

Ivanov further said that EWRC has set the price of heating for the various district heating utilities across the country starting July 1, and separates them into two types, based on the energy resources used. The majority use natural gas, while four use coal as its primary source of energy. The price increase for the heating utilities on natural gas is around 2 per cent, and 0.98 per cent for Sofia .

The four coal using heating utilities will face a little higher prices, but the average price hike for all heating utilities will add up to three per cent, Ivanov said.