In the event that the duration of the power outage or restriction exceeds a total of 48 hours for a period of 72 hours, the operators of the electricity transmission or distribution networks, respectively, shall pay the affected end customers a penalty for the time exceeding 48 hours in the amount specified in the general conditions. In cases of a restrictive regime introduced, no penalty is due.
The parliament decided this by finally adopting on second reading amendments to the Energy Act proposed by Delyan Dobrev (GERB-SDF) and Pavela Mitova from “Ima takvi narod“. The reason for the changes is the accidents at Christmas last year, when thousands of subscribers were left without electricity for a long time.
The proposed texts aim to increase the security of electricity supply to the electricity distribution networks by introducing provisions obliging the EDPs, if necessary, to make investments in the maintenance and modernization of the electricity distribution networks, which guarantee the security and quality of electricity supplies, the submitters state in their reasons.
The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) approves and controls the implementation of the investment plans of the EDPs, including for their maintenance and modernization, which guarantee the security and quality of electricity supplies, the parliament wrote. It approves for each regulatory period a minimum amount of the investment costs and repair costs planned by the operators, related to the reconstruction and modernization of existing electricity facilities, which is not less than 30 percent of the total amount of the planned investment and repair costs.
It is also envisaged that the EWRC may require the operator of the relevant electricity distribution network to include in its investment program investment activities for the maintenance or modernization of certain facilities and facilities.
Other voted texts provide that the mayors of municipalities - if necessary, shall make proposals to the relevant operator of the electricity distribution network on the territory of the municipality to include investments in the network in settlements or parts thereof where there are problems with the supply of electricity. The National Assembly ordered the mayors of municipalities and the operators of electricity distribution networks to create a special communication channel, which is indicated in the municipal emergency plans for disaster protection.
With its decision, the EWRC will be able to amend a license for the distribution of natural gas by terminating it for part of the designated territory of the license, when there are no elements of a gas distribution network built on this part for a period of 5 years, starting from the issuance of the license.
According to Radoslav Ribarski from “We continue the change-Democratic Bulgaria“ the most controversial thing is that the EDPs will pay a penalty to consumers for the time when they are without electricity after the 48th hour within 72 hours. Currently, the law provides for this to be after the 24th hour, i.e. the time is increased, he commented. The MP recalled that at Christmas, tens of thousands of end users were left without electricity and then various solutions were sought, including changes in the legislation. The Minister of Energy promised changes so that no settlements would be left without electricity, reminded Ribarski. However, the government is not the sponsor of this bill, it has not gone through public discussion, the MP commented. According to him, the only thing that is being done is to transfer part of the responsibility to the mayors by giving them the right to motivated proposals for investments in repairing the electricity distribution network, but it is not written that the ERPs must give them reasons in case of refusal. And also - what will be this special channel for communication of the mayors with the ERPs, the PP-DB representative also asked.
Iskra Mihaylova from “Vazrazhdane“ stressed that there are things that her parliamentary group considers right and necessary, such as a four-fold increase in fines for EPRs, which will force them to demand and carry out greater prevention themselves, so as not to reach people in need, so as not to have to pay compensation or sanctions. On the other hand, what was a problem was access to the linear routes of EPRs in forest lands, municipal or state property. With the amendments now, at the insistence of "Vazrazhdane", forest lands are not at risk of falling into a simplified procedure for the construction of RES, the MP commented. A bad parliamentary practice, according to Mihaylova, is the submission of texts, obviously prepared by the ministry, by members of parliament in order to shorten the deadlines and avoid public discussion.
Krassimir Manov from “Moral, Unity, Honor“ considers the text on the revocation of licenses for the distribution of natural gas to be lobbying. It is as if it was written for a specific distributor, he commented.
The Chairman of the Budget Committee Delyan Dobrev from GERB-SDF explained that the proposal is for the Energy Regulatory Commission to review all licenses issued so far in order for each license holder to see how far they have come with the gasification of settlements, since the gasification rates in our country lag far behind those in Europe. We are giving the opportunity to restart the procedure for selecting a new licensee who will meet the deadlines, the goal is to force the licensed companies to do their job, he emphasized.
Stanislav Anastasov from “DPS-New Beginning“ pointed out that with an EU average of 30% gas consumption by households, in Bulgaria the percentage is as low as 3.5. This also reflects on the cleanliness of the air, but what is more frightening is that there are companies that do not want to invest in our country due to difficulties in accessing the gas distribution network, the MP explained.