site.btaGovernment Allocates BGN 2 Mln to Households Affected by Power Outages, Regulator Will Probe Energy Distribution Companies

The government will allocate BGN 2 million in compensation to households affected by power outages due to the harsh winter conditions. This emerged after a conversation between Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova and Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov, the government information service said. More than 20,000 households will receive support to cope with the crisis situation. Prime Minister Glavchev spoke with the mayors of Gabrovo, Troyan and Teteven about need for assistance from the state. The government is also in constant contact with the regional governors of the affected regions. The Agriculture Ministry, the Defence Ministry and the Road Infrastructure Agency are ready to assist the efforts with heavy equipment.

Under orders of Prime Minister Glavchev, a meeting was held on Saturday morning at the Energy Ministry to identify additional measures. Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov spoke with representatives of the three electricity distribution companies about the current situation to identify how the government can provide assistance. The Road Infrastructure Agency, the General Directorate for Fire Safety and Population Protection, the forestry authorities and the Electricity System Operator will provide assistance in hard-to-reach areas where power is disrupted. In addition to compensation for household, ways to support non-domestic consumers will also be considered.

Each of the three electricity distribution companies will pay the damages envisaged in the general conditions of the contracts for access to the respective electricity distribution network. Under these terms, customers who are without power for more than 48 hours should receive BGN 30 for the first 24 hours after this period, and BGN 20 per 12 hours if the outage lasts for more than 36 hours.

In addition, the government will pay BGN 30 to customers who have been without power for more than 24 hours and BGN 20 for every 12 hours afterwards. An estimated 20,000 households will be eligible.

The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission said it is launching a probe into the implementation of the investment programmes of the electricity distribution companies and the Electricity System Operator. 

The companies have to submit a full analysis of the causes for the electricity disruptions and identify measures in the short term to improve the condition of the entire network under severe weather conditions. The results of the inspection will be summarized in a report.  

On the basis of the findings and conclusions, the regulator will assess, in accordance with the requirements of the Energy Act, whether there are grounds for taking administrative measures in respect of the inspected companies. The results of the probe will be made public.