A new holding might incorporate the utility companies in Sofia

Klassa

It is projected a new holding structure to incorporate the utility companies in Sofia, said yesterday Andrey Ivanov, Chairman of the Sofia Municipal Council, quoted by BTA (Bulgarian Telegraph Agency). In his words, the conversations are still at a very initial stage, but the idea is a joint management of Sofia's utility service providers to be set up.

According to Ivanov, such a structure could incorporate the management of mineral springs and the municipal share of Sofiyska voda JSC, as well as the management of Toplofikatsiya-Sofia District Heating Company (DHC). He added that currently talks were being held with the GERB government for the acquisition of a part of the state's stake in the electricity distribution company CEZ Electr, but they were also at a very initial stage. In fact, the company owns the electricity network in Western Bulgaria.

The municipal councilors of GERB (Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria), in turn, stressed the need for stabilisation and financial rehabilitation of Toplofikatsiya-Sofia DHC. Currently, the company has liabilities to Bulgargaz SPLTD amounting to about BGN 100 mln, but by April 15 it will discharge BGN 60 mln of its debts to the gas supplier, assured yesterday Stoyan Tsvetanov, the company's CEO. According to him, it is extremely important a year-round payment in equal installments to be introduced for the covering of the heating and hot water bills. According to Tsvetanov, currently a total of 20,000 subscribers of Toplofikatsiya-Sofia DHC are using this payment method.

The meeting of Sofia City Council also approved the Sofia-DHC's business plan. The company must present the document to the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC). For 2010, its new clients numbered about 7,500 people and there were no subscribers who terminated their contracts with the heating utility, added Tsvetanov. Furthermore, the out-of-court agreements with company's defaulters totalled about 3,200.

Прочети цялата новина

Свързани новини: