Opinion of ENERGO-PRO on the Bill on providing financial support to domestic final customers of electricity left without electricity in the period 21-31 December 2024, adopted at second reading by the National Assembly

The Bill on the provision of financial support to domestic final customers of electricity, left without electricity in the period 21-31 December 2024 inclusive, provided in the second reading by the National Assembly, for electricity distribution network operators to recover the subsidies paid to the State contradicts both basic constitutional principles for the rule of law, the inviolability of private property. as well as a number of acts of the European Union and the regulatory framework in the Republic of Bulgaria. Adopted additions to the Bill constitute inadmissible interference by the state in contractual relations between equal subjects.

The Bill, adopted at second reading by the National Assembly, calls into question the declared commitment of the State to supplement the benefits payable to customers. In this case, instead of State aid, this would lead to the double payment of the same obligation by the electricity distribution companies.

We believe that the Bill is unfair, financially and legally unjustified, and leads to an arbitrary transfer of state social functions to private companies. We point out that focusing on the debate only up to the payment of penalties, without addressing the real problems in electricity distribution, could not lead to sustainable change in the sector.