Commission for Energy and Water Regulation

Bulgaria is bracing for a substantial hike in water prices as the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation gears up to implement new rates starting January 1, 2024. The impending changes indicate an average increase of 15% in water costs nationwide, marking a significant rise in bills for consumers.

The price of water in the Sofia region is expected to increase by 44 percent. The price for the delivery, removal and purification of water should rise to BGN 3.69 per cubic meter including VAT. The Commission for Energy and Water Regulation discussed the upcoming increase in the price of water to start from July 1 in Sofia and Pernik regions.

Until 1 April, when is the end of the heating season, heating and electricity prices will not be increased. This was assured by the Chairman of the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR) Assoc. Prof. Ivan Ivanov in an interview with BTA.

Nearly a 3% increase in gas prices for the domestic market as of January 1, 2018, offers the state gas supplier Bulgargaz of the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation. The current prices are BGN 343.36 per 1000 cubic meters or BGN 32.27 per MWh. Tariffs are two - for quantity and energy, because of the requirements of the European Commission.

Bulgaria's energy legislation needs urgent amendments early next year amid steps to liberalize the energy market, the chief of the energy watchdog has said.

Ivan Ivanov, who heads the country's Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR), has made his comments during a hearing in Parliament, ahead of the first test launch of the energy exchange in Sofia.

Bulgaria's energy regulator has proposed to cut the 'duty to society' fee levied on power prices for industrial consumers which was increased in August.

The Commission for Energy and Water Regulation, or KEVR, is proposing to cut the fee by BGN 1.07 to BGN 36.83 per megawatthour, VAT excluded, as of November 1, the head of the regulator Ivan Ivanov told reporters on Thursday.

Although businesses in Bulgaria cancelled a protest scheduled for September 30 due to an increase in electricity prices for industrial consumers, their demands for a road map for reform in the energy sector remain in place.

Businesses have insisted that the implementation of the road map start on October 1, according to reports of the Bulgarian National Radio.

Bulgaria's energy watchdog has proposed a 14.26% reduction in the price of natural gas to a rate of BGN 484.26 per 1000 cubic meters, VAT excluded, excise duty excluded, as of October.

Bulgaria's government is preparing the full liberalization of the energy market, which is expected to solve the financial problems of the sector and guarantee a fair price for household and industrial consumers, according to Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova.

The price of natural gas may drop by more than 13.6% as of October, according to Ivan Ivanov, Chair of the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR).

Ivanov declared Thursday that a price drop exceeding the preliminary estimate of state-owned gas company Bulgariaz of 13.6% would mean that gas rates would have dropped by over 30% in a year.