ENERGO-PRO will appeal the Commission's decision on protection of competition from today

The decision of the Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) imposing a penalty on ENERGO-PRO Sales in the amount of BGN 1 687 484, in connection with the interruption of electricity supply to water supply facilities — Dobrich in September 2012, is not in line with the real facts. This final measure was reached as a result of the accumulated old liabilities for consumed electricity by the water company in the amount of over BGN 3.7 million, which together with their current accounts exceeded BGN 5 million.

In order to avoid the interruption of the electricity supply to the water supply - Dobrich, the company initiated and held numerous meetings with the water company, as well as with representatives of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (MDRB), alerted the State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR) and the local government of the city of Dobrich about the problem. For several years, the company offered various options for debt repayment, including the interception of the debt of VIK Dobrich from the payments of ENERGO-PRO to NEK, since the company is halfway between the two state-owned companies. Unfortunately, all our efforts to find a solution were fruitless: the institutions did not really help to solve the problem, and over the years the debt grew steadily. Only after the power supply to individual facilities of the water company in September 2012 did the MRRB find a solution by paying off half of the debt and rescheduling the other half.

For a long time ENERGO-PRO credited the state water company with the clear awareness that the interruption would cause inconvenience to the residents of the city, but it did not meet any assistance from the management of Plumbing — Dobrich. After all the options for solving the problem were exhausted for years, the company was forced to take this measure. In the situation that arose as a result of the ineffective management of the water company, the MRRB undertook changes in its management.

Huge liabilities, such as those of Plumbing — Dobrich, accumulated over years, disrupt the financial flows in the company and make it difficult to settle with electricity suppliers, including the state NEC. The management of ENERGO-PRO could not risk the financial situation of the company and the security of the electricity supply of its customers throughout North-East Bulgaria. ENERGO-PRO will continue to comply with the Law and regulations and will not tolerate individual debtors at the expense of all its other customers who pay their obligations correctly.

The decision of the CPC is another act that worsens the business environment in the country, repels the investments of both domestic and foreign investors who wish to develop honest business in Bulgaria.

Despite ENERGO-PRO's arguments for errors in CPC's production, the Commission imposed a sanction on the company. ENERGO-PRO will appeal the Decision of the CPC to the Supreme Administrative Court within the legally prescribed period.