site.btaEconomy Minister: Losses in Energy Sector May Reach 5 Billion Lv in Late 2015 Unless Measures for Their Reduction Are Taken

Economy Minister: Losses in Energy Sector May Reach 5 Billion Lv in Late 2015 Unless Measures for Their Reduction Are Taken


Sofia, September 3 (BTA) - At the end of 2015 the deficit in the
 energy sector may reach 5 billion leva, unless measures for the
 losses' reduction are taken, Caretaker Economy and Energy
Minister Vassil Shtonov told journalists after a Council of
Ministers' meeting on Wednesday.

"There is no opportunity to find finances for the winter
preparation of the energy system: we want to but cannot find
money to fill up the gas storage facility in Chiren," Shtonov
said. Furthermore, the mines are paid only 50 per cent of their
due and, consequently, they cannot pay the miners' salaries, he
added.
    
At the end of June the debts in the energy sector amounted to
2.9 billion leva. It is a cause for concern that within six
months these have increased by 360 million leva and in the next
one year they will grow further by 900 million leva, the Economy
 Minister said. The measures undertaken by the State Energy and
Water Regulatory Commission for the reduction of these debts are
 non-working, he underscored. There is no way these losses can
be reduced quickly and, therefore, compromises are needed on the
 part of all participants in the energy system, Shtonov said.

SN/DS

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