site.btaUPDATED Bulgaria Imports Electricity because Its Own Is More Expensive on Some Days - not Because It Lacks Capacity - PM

Speaking to the MPs during Question Time in Parliament Friday, Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said that Bulgaria imports electricity because its own is more expensive on some days or hours - not because It lacks generating capacity. Denkov was asked by Dragomir Stoynev MP (BSP for Bulgaria) why in early January Bulgaria imported electricity from Turkiye and North Macedonia. 

Denkov said that there is a technological competition on how to produce cheaper electricity and to create an energy mix that will enable the regions and countries to produce the cheapest electricity competitive on the market. "Bulgaria is part of the regional market and needs to upgrade its capacities in the fastest and most efficient way if it wants to be competitive among its neighbours," he said. 

That is why it is very important for Bulgaria to continue to build its mix of renewable energy sources, including hydropower and nuclear energy, at an accelerated pace, said the Prime Minister. Denkov pointed out that this cabinet has signed contracts for the construction of 2 nuclear reactors and work has started on them so that we can be competitive in the market as it has been so far. "Last year Bulgaria was a net exporter of electricity, I am sure that this year will be the same. [...]It is normal, when there is an open regional market, on certain days, at certain times, to be an importer, this is part of the energy market, which is developing in this way all over the world, this is the way to have cheaper energy for everyone," Denkov said.

He went on to say that it would be a problem if this country stops the process of technological modernization in the energy sector because that would make it uncompetitive.

MP Dragomir Stoynev attacked the cabinet for failing to deliver on promises it gave to miners and energy workers when they protested the coal phaseout plans. 

The Prime Minister said the government has done whatever could be done. "Everything that can be done has been done to fulfill the agreement with the miners and energy workers. Two days ago we had a meeting with them in the Council of Ministers and we briefed them on what we have done. We will brief the National Assembly, too," Denkov said.

He also said: "If there is a problem in the mines and in the state-owned coal plants, it is because - let me put it this way - for years people have been lying to the energy workers and miners that they can continue as it has been for many years. Ours is the government that invited them to discuss the situation with them."