site.btaEnergy Expert: Investment and Action Plans Key to Preventing Power Outages in Bulgaria

The two primary causes of widespread power outages are insufficient investment in diagnostics and prevention, along with the irresponsible behavior of grid operators and the regulatory body regarding the management of energy facilities, Ivan Zhelyazkov told BTA’s Antoan Nikolov on Tuesday.

Zhelyazkov, a member of the Management Board of the Scientific and Technical Union of Power Engineers in Bulgaria and Deputy Chair of the Board of Directors of the Central Energy Repair Base, was commenting on recent power outages in some Bulgarian regions due to severe weather, which has sparked local protests and has prompted the government to allocate compensations to affected households and launch a probe into the three electricity distribution companies.

Zhelyazkov mentioned three options for investing in diagnostics and prevention. The first option involves using the electricity distribution companies' own funds. The second involves increasing electricity prices through the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC). The third option involves securing financial resources from banks and funds.

Zhelyazkov said that grid operators should have developed a plan in the spring outlining how they would function during the autumn-winter period. This plan should have included details about emergency repair teams and should have been communicated to the regulatory authorities.

He added that the current measures are temporary and will not resolve the issue. Power outages will continue, so it's important to take action. First, a risk assessment is necessary. Second, the remaining steel lattice towers need to be inspected. Third, mobile emergency repair teams should be expanded for winter conditions. Fourth, there should be increased oversight and accountability from the EWRC, the Ministry of Energy, and the National Assembly Energy Committee, Zhelyazkov concluded.