Experts wonder why TPP Maritsa Iztok 2 does not sell electricity for the free market at the currently high prices

It is puzzling that at such high prices of BGN 140 per megawatt-hour, some coal-fired power plants, which are traditionally invited to participate in the market, such as TPP "Maritsa East 2", still do not do so. It is through this participation and at these prices that they could compensate for their variable costs and make some profit from such activity. This was stated by Nikolai Kiskinov, managing partner in "Vladimirov Kiskinov" to Bloomberg TV.

"One of the main topics in recent days is energy. Recently, we have seen on the market that prices are above expectations, and market participants define them as relatively high," said Nikolai Kiskinov.

"We are watching prices around BGN 146 to BGN 150, and on April 19 we had a price for" peak energy "of BGN 174 - these are quite high price levels, especially for April."

"Some market participants say that there have never been such high prices for April. April is special in that the temperatures in normal years are neutral, a lot of capacity is being repaired, but renewable sources, especially photovoltaics, have serious production. This April is cold and gloomy, which to some extent pushes prices down. "Kiskinov said.

"If the hydrology in the region had not been so good, we would have seen prices of around BGN 180 to BGN 200, as we sometimes see when money is distorted." We have an increase in production from renewable energy sources - wind and sun, it became clear from the conversation.

"This approximates the values ​​of prices for peak and base energy...we see a special energy mix that violates the established classic market trend."

"We need to monitor both prices, as it is not always clear whether the peak is higher." Kiskinov said.

"We are currently witnessing the coldest April in 20 years. This is raising consumption and demand, respectively. The other factor that is raising prices is greenhouse gas emissions, which have remained above 40 euros."

"Another factor that is raising prices is the production of nuclear power plants in France. They are currently at the level they were last year at the same time as the pandemic was in full swing." the lawyer said.

"Electricity and natural gas prices tend to rise."