It is fairest for the "building installation" component in heating bills to be 30%. This was announced in an interview for the program "Why, Mr. Minister" by Zhecho Stankov, Minister of Energy.
The ministry's proposal has been released for public discussion and is in connection with the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) repealed the existing formula for calculating heat energy in condominiums.
Based on the texts repealed by the court, we decided to take a pragmatic approach. Now it was possible to choose between 20% and 40% for building installation, so we settled on the middle option - 30%. This was also consulted with the Association of District Heating Companies. This percentage guarantees that there will be no unfair distribution of bills“, commented the minister.
He recalled that the “building installation“ component does not affect single-family buildings and those with new installations with vertical risers.
And he specified that the ministry acted quickly after the decision of the Supreme Administrative Court so that there would be no delay in the equalization bills for heating.
Higher sanctions for ERPs
The Ministry of Energy is already ready with a draft of amendments to the Energy Act, which would guarantee the rights of consumers during long power outages.
There was a similar problem around Christmas and New Year in several regions in the country, which remained without electricity for days.
Zhechev noted that the state aid for the affected households is already being paid.
„This money reached the people without them having to go to the cash desks – without administrative burden“, the Minister of Energy specified.
The proposed legal changes provide for an increase in fines for EPCs in the event of prolonged power outages from 10,000 to 20,000 leva currently to from 20,000 to 50,000 leva.
The period within which citizens can file a complaint about a burnt-out electrical appliance as a result of a power outage will be extended several times. Currently, the deadline is 3 to 5 days.
The changes to the Energy Law will be presented at the next meeting of the Energy Committee in Parliament.
Progress in oil and gas exploration in the Black Sea
Recently, Zhecho Stankov signed a document with OMV Offshore Bulgaria and NewMed Energy Balkan, which continues oil and gas exploration in a block in “Block 1-21 Khan Asparuh“.
The block is located in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. The two companies already own a 50% stake in the project, with OMV Petrom (through OMV Offshore Bulgaria) as its operator. The Bulgarian government approved last month the acquisition by NewMed Energy Balkan of 50% of the exploration rights in the area.
The Bulgarian state will also participate – by up to 20%, which is an investment of about 15 million dollars, announced the Minister of Energy.
“This will provide stability to investors and more importantly, we will start drilling work in a short time. I am optimistic that we will achieve the result that all Bulgarians have been waiting for so long,“, commented the Minister.