The increased electricity consumption due to the colder weather in December and January is the main reason for the higher electricity bills, said in the program "Speak Now" on BNT, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of "Eurohold Bulgaria" Assen Hristov.
The structure of the company also includes "Electrohold".
Hristov denied that there was a systematic "overwriting" of bills, indicating that single technical errors in electricity meters are possible, which represent about 1 percent of all complaints filed.
According to him, the higher bills in January are due to and on weekends around Christmas and New Year, when people spend more time at home. In December, consumption increased by 30 percent compared to November due to lower temperatures, and in January an increase of 11 percent was reported compared to December. Currently, in February, consumption is 4-5 percent higher compared to January, with expectations that the final bills will be 5-6 percent higher.
According to him, Bulgarians are massively switching to electric heating, which leads to 10-20 times higher consumption even during COVID, and this depends on the weather outside, which is the main reason why bills are more expensive.
In response to a statement by Acting Energy Minister Traycho Traykov that subscribers with justified complaints about high bills will be compensated, Hristov said that there is no evidence of systematic overcharging, distinguishing between “overcharging“ and a technical error in a specific electricity meter.
Hristov expressed concern that Bulgaria is gradually becoming an importer of electricity, as the base capacities - coal-fired power plants - are being closed, and the new nuclear power units are still at the “site“ stage. According to him, photovoltaic power plants produce electricity mainly during the day and cannot replace base production. Hristov said that he sees potential in the development of wind energy. According to him, batteries should serve to balance the grid in case of surplus or shortage, and not simply for commercial resale of electricity. Hristov emphasized the need to build gas-fired power plants as a quick alternative to coal-fired power plants in order to maintain energy independence, and emphasized that the contract with “Botas” is strategically advantageous.
He proposed the introduction of a monthly fee for each electricity meter of about 5 euros, similar to practices in other European countries, in order to provide funds for the maintenance of the electricity distribution network in sparsely populated areas.
Hristov also expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of energy communities in urban environments like Sofia and described them as economically unprofitable for small consumers.