BULGARIAN ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION FIRMS SEEK UP TO 14% PRICE HIKE

The three electricity distribution companies operating in Bulgaria - CEZ, E.ON and EVN - are proposing an increase of up to 14.3 per cent in electricity prices for households as of July 2011.

At the same time, the country's state-run power utility NEK is insisting the price should go up by five per cent because of the inflation, in line with the estimates of the utilities regulator.

Should all requests for a hike in energy prices be approved, the increase would range between eight per cent in southeastern Bulgaria and 16 per cent in the northeast.

Power producers and suppliers were to announce their proposals for an increase in electricity prices by the end of February. They are requested to present by April their offers to the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC), which will in turn come up with a decision on the the revised electricity prices by July.

According to SEWRC's head Angel Semerdjiev, however, the price of electricity will not grow considerably and would be raised by no more than five per cent.

The largest increase of 50 per cent has been requested by the Bulgarian division of Czech power utility CEZ, which would result in a 13.2 per cent rise in the final electricity price for households.

E.ON Bulgaria, which delivers electricity to northeastern Bulgaria, is seeking a 40 per cent hike in energy prices, leading to an increase of about 16 per cent in monthly electricity bills.

EVN Bulgaria, servicing the southeastern parts of the country, has demanded a 19.48 per cent surge in low-voltage electricity transmission prices, translating into a five per cent increase in prices for households.