site.btaPM: Energy Minister, Electricity Distribution Companies, Municipalities to Discuss Crisis Plan Following Severe Weather in November

A crisis plan will be discussed at a meeting between the three electricity distribution companies, the association of municipalities and the energy minister, Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said on Monday in Sofia at the Inaugural Conference for mayors and chairmen of municipal councils for the 2023-2027 term, organised by the National Association of the Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB).

The meeting, which will discuss a crisis action plan, is being convened following the disastrous weather situation in Bulgaria at the end of November.

"We need to stop passing the buck and understand that the problems are common," Denkov stressed.

He said that each of the electricity distribution companies had prepared a report on the problems that led to delays. They are currently preparing a summary report and will meet with the association of municipalities to tell what they have seen. That will be the action plan to better prepare for next time, Denkov said.

According to the Prime Minister, the delays in dealing with the disastrous situation at the end of November are not a precedent, as there have been similar situations back in the years. Denkov pointed out that the task of the energy minister is to take preventive measures, and the key steps could be discussed at a meeting with him. 

Denkov said that there was no opportunity for redirecting equipment and noted that some of the accusations of delay were justified due to lack of prioritization.

"What depends on us as a government, we will be your partners, however difficult it may be because of the complex political situation," he addressed the local government representatives.