site.btaJanuary Gas Price Hiked by 7.97%

The price of natural gas in Bulgaria in January 2025 will be 7.97% higher than in December 2024, reaching BGN 81.94 per MWh, the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) decided on Wednesday. This is the price at which state-owned supplier Bulgargaz will sell to end-suppliers of natural gas and to heating utilities. It does not include access, transmission, excise duty and VAT costs, the regulator said in a press release.

The final decision is based on up-to-date information provided by Bulgargaz earlier in the day. The new price is lower than the supplier's initial proposal and remains competitive for both businesses and households, the EWRC commented. After the TTF index was falling for about two weeks, slipping to under EUR 40 per MWh, it went up on Wednesday after gas supplies via Ukraine to several Eastern European countries were suspended.

There is no risk for the security of natural gas supplies to Bulgaria, the regulator said. The underground gas storage facility at Chiren, in the northwest of the country, is 73.74% full, which is more than the average EU level of 72.72%.

In addition to gas from Chiren, the price mix includes the entire amount of Azeri gas agreed with Bulgaria for delivery via the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector under a long-term agreement with the Caspian country. This amount is important for maintaining a favourable price for consumers. Bulgargaz concluded two agreements with traders for the supply of liquefied natural gas after an auction based on requirements about a minimum supply price and a payment method proposal.