District heating companies demanded a dramatic rise of heating The dramatic increase in heat energy from July 1 is offered by district heating in Bulgaria. They sent an applications for new prices to the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC). For many cities, the required appreciation is two-digit. The proposals for the increase of the prices of heating as a percentage of the price as of April 1, 2020 start from 9.5% in Varna, go through 20% for Pleven, Sofia and EVN District Heating (Plovdiv) and reach 45% for Burgas, 52% for Razgrad and 62% for Vratsa. Most striking is the requested price increase of as much as 140.5% for Veliko Turnovo. Former Ombudsman Maya Manolova first announced the new increase demands. The statements show that they were sent to the regulator at the end of March, but were published on the EWRC website only two days ago. The demands come amid the new contract with Gazprom, which led to a sharp fall in natural gas prices and a link between its price and the quotations of "blue gold" on international exchanges. Under the agreement, gas prices were recalculated retroactively - from August onwards, and the Russian supplier reimbursed overpaid BGN 150 million to Bulgargas, which in turn should return the excess to its customers, incl. district heating companies. Despite the fall in the price of natural gas on the international markets, domestic district heating companies offer in their calculations an increase in various costs such as depreciation, wages, related insurance and social payments.
Source: Sega (16.04.2020)

EWRC will inspect Toplofikatsia Sofia for inflated bills The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) has ordered an extraordinary inspection of Toplofikatsia Sofia for reports of excessive bills. EWRC has self-addressed from received signals as well as from media publications. The pricing of bills for the specified period will be checked. In case any violations by the district heating company are found in the course of the forthcoming inspection, EWRC will take the administrative and punitive measures provided for by the law. Following the completion of the extraordinary inspection of Toplofikatsia Sofia SPJSC, the Commission will publicly announce the results thereof. Toplofikatsia Sofia stated that they would assist the regulator. Last week district heating companies in the country demanded dramatic increase in prices. Toplofikatsia Veliko Tarnovo demanded an increase of 140.5%. Toplofikatsia Sofia asked for the price to be increased by 20%. Any requests for an increase in the price of heating energy are unfounded, Ivan Ivanov, Chairman of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, said at an extraordinary briefing. "EWRC will not allow price increases," he stressed. "I can say that the price of heating for this season will be lower than the price of the past heating season," he added.
Source: investor.bg (22.04.2020)