The Management Board of ENERGO-PRO Varna holds meetings with the mayors of the regional cities
As part of its active program for effective cooperation with the local government, this week the ENERGO-PRO Management Board met with the mayors of Gabrovo, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Ruse, Silistra and Dobrich. During the meetings, the current topics of the development of the electricity sector were discussed - the mandatory liberalization of the electricity market for small business customers, the expected change in the final prices on a regulated market from July 1, 2021, as well as investment activities for the development of the electricity distribution network by regions.
The representatives of the local government were informed about the process in connection with the approaching end of the transitional period for compulsory liberalization for all business customers, which is until June 30, 2021. Non-domestic customers of ENERGO-PRO Sales, who do not conclude a contract for the supply of electricity on the liberalized market by June 10, 2021, will switch from July 1, 2021 to the Supplier of Last Instance and will pay the electricity at prices significantly higher than the market prices. The process of their transition to the free market is dynamic, with customers choosing from nearly 50 electricity suppliers, including the ENERGO-PRO trading company on the free market. The remaining business customers on a standard contract are representatives of small businesses, with consumption similar to domestic customers. So far, they have not shown an active interest in choosing a provider.
In the discussions between ENERGO-PRO and the local government, the topic of expected new electricity prices on a regulated market from July 1, 2021 was touched upon. According to the proposals made by the electricity distribution and supply companies of the ENERGO-PRO group, the total increase for domestic consumers in the regulated market is expected to be 1.7%. The increase was calculated at the current prices of all other regulated market participants, without taking into account price changes that they would have requested from the EBRD for the forthcoming price period. The price applications of the two companies will be submitted to the EWRC by March 31, 2021.
The management of ENERGO-PRO presented to the mayors the implementation of the investment and repair programs of the network company Elektrodistribuenie North for 2020 and the investment intentions for the current 2021. The forecast for the upcoming investments is in the amount of BGN 40 million per year in the next three-year regulatory period. During the meetings, investments by regions were discussed and the main priorities in the electricity distribution activity were shared — improving the operation of the electricity distribution network and the quality of the supplied electricity, as well as increasing the security of electricity supply to the company's customers.
