site.btaEnergy Minister Malinov: Electricity Price Will Rise by 1.5% on Average from July 1

The increase in the price of electricity for household consumers will be on average less than 1.5% for the three distribution network operators from July 1, said caretaker Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov on bTV.

According to him, this is due to the proper structuring of the costs for the Kozloduy N-plant.

Asked whether Bulgaria will lose money under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan because of the one-year delay in the liberalization of the electricity market, he said: "It is a matter of proper governance and a defensive position before the European Commission. We are part of the European Union and we do not stand on both sides of the barricade. I believe that if the government correctly defines its priorities and defends its position precisely with arguments that liberalization has not been postponed and it will happen, we should not lose money."

The Minister stressed that the liberalization of the electricity market has not been postponed and added that in any case, the full liberalization of electricity prices for household consumers under the current law will take place from January 1, 2026.  

Asked whether he would remain Energy Minister in a regular cabinet, Malinov said: "At the moment I have no proposals. I would consider such a proposal. There must be a government with a clear mandate, with Euro-Atlantic purposefulness perspective, which will take over power for a certain period."