site.btaEnergy Regulator to Inspect Three Electricity Distribution Companies over Recent Outages

Ivan Ivanov, Chair of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC), Monday told a briefing he had ordered the setting up of three working groups to inspect the three electricity distribution companies. He commented on recent power outages in some Bulgarian regions due to severe weather.

Ivanov said that under the law, the Energy Ministry is responsible for the technical condition and operation of energy facilities and for their disaster preparedness. "The EWRC has never had the potential to deal with the technical condition of energy facilities," he added. The regulator has a duty to ensure that licensed companies comply with the terms of their licences. In this connection, EWRC has ordered the inspections.

Under the general terms and conditions of the contracts of the electricity distribution companies, customers who are without power for more than 24 hours should get 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.

Asked by BTA whether the companies can invoke a force majeure and refuse to pay compensation to customers, Ivanov said that at present there are no grounds for this: "If this is challenged, the decision will be in the hands of the court, not the Commission."