Dobri Mitrev, BIA: We insist that at least 50% of the price, which is above the price set by the EWRC - BGN 119, be in the form of compensation for business consumers on the free market

"The drastic rise in the price of electricity, especially in the free market, is ruining Bulgarian industry. We believe that the price will not calm down. We insist that at least 50% of the price, which is above the market price set by the EWRC - BGN 119, be in the form of compensation for business consumers who are on the free market. This is what Dobri Mitrev, chairman of the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA), said on the BNR's Nedelya 150 program on the topic of high electricity prices. According to him, if the situation continues and there is no compensation from the state, the business is doomed to bankruptcy.

Elenko Bozhkov, an energy expert and member of the President's Strategic Council, also commented on the topic on the Nedelya 150 program: "Compensation is entirely possible. Overprices lead to overprofits. The money can be taken from the profit from dividends of Kozloduy NPP and the business can be compensated by March 2022. For household consumers, things will look different, unless the possible increase in the price of electricity from January 2022 is overcome. "

According to Bozhkov, about BGN 1.3 billion will be needed to compensate the business, according to Mitrev, less money will be needed. "There are decisions that the state can take and alleviate this shock in electricity prices. Business will keep people's employment, their income, this will reduce inflationary pressure ... When we cannot pay for energy, it means closed enterprises, closing thousands of jobs, burdening the social system, a catastrophe for the state, "added the chairman of BIA.

Bozhkov insists on an immediate change in the management of the Bulgarian Independent Energy Exchange. "A radical change in energy management ... An important point is to look for a way to negotiate with the EC to postpone the shutdown and prolong the life of coal energy in Bulgaria...Bulgaria is crippled in terms of energy diplomacy."

Dobri Mitrev outlined what changes need to be made in the long run: "We need to answer clearly the question of whether we are part of the green deal. If we are, with what and when do we compensate for this energy shortage, at what price, with what will we replace these capacities as energy, with what will we replace jobs, with what will we maintain our relative energy independence. These questions must be answered with thinking, with strategy, with deadlines, with finances in return. "