SEWRC: Natural gas prices to increase by up to 5%

“There is no reason for gas prices to be increased by nearly 18%, as requested by Bulgargaz,” said Chairman of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC) Angel Semerdjiev yesterday. The expected price increase of natural gas remains in the range of 5%. This means that a change in the price of heating energy is not likely to take place as of 2012. Semerdjiev admitted that Bulgargaz has to receive income for the fourth quarter but did not specify the amount due.

SEWRC intends to reduce the trade surplus charges of the company and to increase the extraction of gas from the underground natural gas storage facility Chiren UGS in order to offset the price increase.

Semerdjiev explained that the fuel extracted by Melrose Resources JSC in the Black Sea and purchased by Bulgargaz has become more expensive but that the price increase is insignificant. He added that local gas production is 30-40% cheaper than imported Russian fuel. The gas from the Deventsy gas field, near the town of Pleven, is also expected to be cheaper as of next summer. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Delian Dobrev, stated that drilling sites for shale gas are likely to appear in the country after 4 years at the earliest.

The sale of state-owned shares in the EVN Bulgaria Electricity Distribution and EVN Bulgaria Electricity Supply companies will be initiated on December 21, announced yesterday officials from the Agency for Privatization and Post Privatization Control. It comes down to the 33% state-owned stake, comprising 51,612 shares in the distribution company and 62,106 shares in the supply company. Experts from the Bulgarian Stock Exchange announced that the minimum price per share of EVN Electricity Distribution stood at BGN 1373,92 and the shares of EVN Electricity Supply will be sold for BGN 120,31 each. This means that the State expects to receive at least BGN 78.5 mln from the transaction. The estimated value of EVN Bulgaria Electricity Supply AD is lower because the company owns fewer assets and has reported poor financial results.

Прочети цялата новина

Свързани новини: