Bulgargaz

Municipal councilors from the "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria-Spasi Sofia" (WCC-DB-SS) coalition are raising concerns over the dire situation at Toplofikatsiya-Sofia (District Heating Sofia), the capital's heating company. They have called for a hearing with the company's management to address the alarming technical and financial state of the enterprise.

Bulgaria's Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) has set the November price of natural gas at 68.69 leva per megawatt-hour, excluding access, transmission, excise, and VAT fees. This price reflects an almost 8% increase over the October rate, according to the regulator's report.

Sofia's Mayor Vasil Terziev reassured residents that there are no risks for the upcoming heating season after a meeting with Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov. He stated that citizens should not be concerned about the heating season, emphasizing that Bulgargaz will continue to supply gas without interruption.

Bulgargaz, the Bulgarian state-owned natural gas distribution company, has said that French oil major TotalEnergies ranked first in a tender offer to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) in November and December to the Alexandroupoli terminal in Greece.

The tender is for the supply of one cargo each month of 1,000 gigawatt hours (GWh), according to a press release from the company.

Bulgaria's state gas supply company, "Bulgargaz," has once again blocked all accounts belonging to the municipal heating company, "Toplofikatsia Sofia" (Heating Systems Sofia). This development was initially reported by" Focus" media, citing reliable sources, and later confirmed by BNT.

Turkey is set to export natural gas to Bulgaria under a new brand called "Turkish Blend", which will include a mixture of gas from various sources. This gas is also intended to pass through Bulgaria to reach Central European countries such as Hungary and Slovakia.

This morning, the European Prosecutor's Office gained access to the gas operator "Bulgartransgaz" with the assistance of local police, as reported by bTV. The European Commission has declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, and the exact number of participants remains undisclosed.

Goritsa Grancharova-Kozhareva, who has served as Deputy Manager of the Audit Chamber, has been appointed by President Rumen Radev as the new acting Prime Minister. Grancharova-Kozhareva's career with the Audit Chamber began in 2015, where she has held various prominent roles, including several terms as deputy chairperson.

In August, natural gas prices in Bulgaria will see a slight increase. The Commission for Energy and Water Regulation has set the price at 60.75 leva per MWh, excluding additional costs such as access, transmission, excise duty, and VAT. This price applies to sales by "Bulgargaz" EAD to final suppliers and those licensed for thermal energy production and transmission.

Bulgargaz, Bulgaria's state gas supplier, has initiated legal proceedings against Gazprom, the Russian energy giant, seeking 400 million euros in compensation for damages caused by the unilateral suspension of natural gas supplies over two years ago, by the end of April 2022, reports BNT.