ENERGO-PRO calls for rapid regulation and creation of development plans in suburban areas

The increase in electricity consumption in the cottage areas near the larger cities in North-East Bulgaria is a natural process of orientation of a part of the population in recent years towards living in these areas. This requires upgrading the electricity distribution network and increasing its capacity by reconstructing the network circuits in places, in order to meet the needs of customers for quality electricity supply. The lack of detailed development plans (PPPs) in many of these areas severely hampers the work of ERP North in planning network reconstructions, implementing the planned investment program, and at the same time creates inconvenience for customers who suffer power disruptions. It is imperative that private networks with low capacity be replaced with new facilities corresponding to the increased consumption, but without an approved PUP, the electricity distribution company is not allowed to carry out such reconstructions.

A solution to the problem has been sought for years. The managers of ENERGO-PRO and the network company ERP North are in contact with representatives of local authorities in municipalities and district administrations and regularly report on the obstacles to the construction of new networks. In this situation, EPP North is making efforts by rehabilitating existing facilities to provide conditions to minimise power disruptions, but with the increasing number of residents in these areas this measure is insufficient.

ENERGO-PRO will continue to insist on speeding up the processes of approval of the PPAs necessary for carrying out large-scale repairs in the villa areas and suburban regions. Every year, specialists of ERP North conduct a site survey and check the network facilities owned by the company, after which an expert team prepares an assessment of their condition. Based on the expert assessment, the sites with an urgent need for inclusion in the investment and repair programs of the electricity distribution company are identified. The purpose of the realized investments in the network is to provide quality electricity supply to customers.