Bulgaria's New Energy Mix Keeps Central Role of TPPs, Renewables

AES and ContourGlobal thermal power plants, alongside renewable energy sources, will remain the primary sources in the energy mix of Bulgaria, a recent document shows.

The lates pricing decision of energy watchdog KEVR shows that AES Martiza East 1 and ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3 sets theire share in Bulgaria's energy system at 20% and 25.2%, respectively.

Renewables, which currently produce the most expensive energy (and which has had for years to be bought under preferential conditions, in line with legislation adopted in early 2010s), form 18.8% of the mix, according to the ruling, 3e-news.net, a website specialized in energy, reported on Monday.

State-owned Maritsa Iztok 2 TPP and the Kozloduy NPP have seen a substantial decrease in their respective shares - now at 4.1% and 6.7%.

This comes, however, just after the government had explained it would take Maritsa Iztok 2 out of the regulated market.

The rest is generated by heating utilities (16.3%) and the hydropower plant owned by the National Electricity Company NEK (8.75%).

Bulgaria is trying to gradually slide toward energy market liberalization, with only household consumers currently remaining within the regulated market (only 6000 customers, in a nationl of 7.2 million, have left it as of end-July).

It is also seeking to tackle the BGN 3.7 B worth debt of NEK through a number of measures, including an increase in power prices for businesses, a measure that has been in force since August 1.