The Bulgarian Ministry of Energy has proposed legislative changes aimed at reducing electricity outages during the winter months caused by extreme weather conditions.
The proposed amendments include a requirement for electricity distribution companies to allocate a minimum investment rate for network maintenance, rehabilitation, and repair. These investment plans will be made publicly available, and local governments will be consulted before they are approved by the regulator, KEVR. Enhanced oversight will ensure that investments are carried out at the municipal level, and penalties for non-compliance will be significantly increased.
Additionally, the new regulations will require distribution companies to provide alternative electricity sources during prolonged outages and increase compensation for affected customers, as outlined in their general terms and conditions. Caretaker Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov highlighted that over a billion euros allocated by the state to assist customers during recent outages is meant to supplement, not replace, compensation owed by distribution companies. He suggested that these funds could be distributed through the National Revenue Agency or the National Social Security Institute, which already have the necessary customer information.
Minister Malinov also stressed the importance of identifying areas prone to frequent outages in the long term. In high-risk regions, the proposal suggests relocating overhead transmission lines underground to improve the reliability of electricity supply.
