SEWRC: Gas prices to fall by 9.83%

The price of natural gas will decrease by 9.83% for the next quarter, as of January 1, 2013. This was recorded in a report adopted at a closed meeting of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC).

Next Tuesday, on December 18, an open meeting will be held, which will discuss the report of the working group, Chairman of the regulator Angel Semerdzhiev explained at Wednesday's meeting of the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee for investigating cases of high level corruption.

"Agreed lower prices for imported natural gas will affect all users of natural gas, both those who use it directly and customers of heating companies," he said.

SEWRC's Chairman expressed his hope that, in the coming seasons, the price of natural gas and heating services in the country will decline, albeit more slowly.

It is highly likely that, as of July 1 next year, the price of electricity sold to NEK by TPP AES Galabovo and TPP Contour Global Maritsa Iztok 3 will decrease and, thus, reduce the cost of electricity as a whole, Semerdzhiev explained.

According to him, SEWRC is almost ready to start the regulatory audit of the three thermal power plants - TPP AES Galabovo, TPP Maritsa Iztok 2 and TPP Contour Global Maritsa Iztok 3.

Semerdzhiev noted that the report will be used to optimise the costs of power plants and, consequently, to reduce the price of electricity.

He explained that the three plants use limestone for desulphurisation and this is reflected in the final price of electricity sold.

Limestone's relative share in the price of electricity is the lowest for Maritza Iztok 2, which does not work on long-term contracts for the supply of limestone.

"SEWRC may request an amendment to pricing mechanisms in case of a discrepancy with EU legislation. There are no plants in the EU with long-term purchase contracts. The problem with long-term purchase contracts is not specific only for Bulgaria, there was such a problem in Poland and Hungary as well," emphasised Angel Semerdzhiev.

SEWRC's Chairman announced that, by September 30, the total capacity of installed RES was 1,787 megawatts.

Of these, wind farms had a total capacity of 684 megawatts and photovoltaic plants - 862 megawatts. Power plants using biofuel had a total capacity of 41 megawatts.

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