Preventive shutdown is more important than restoration, Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov told BNT regarding the preparedness of the energy network in case of disasters.
Regarding the inspection ordered after the flood in Elenite and Tsarevo on the Black Sea coast, the minister commented:
"The first results are still being summarized, but what we did specifically from the "Energy" sector and few people know how we approach it - even on the eve of such heavy rainfall, the entire energy network is monitored very carefully, because its preventive shutdown is much more important than the subsequent restoration at times, because if it is not turned off in time, much bigger problems can be created. We have sent teams to the site, we are in constant contact with the regional governor of Burgas. The teams from NEK and in particular from "Dam Cascades" will develop a modeling of all possible scenarios that could have happened with the current infrastructure and its lack of space. So from this point of view, the Bulgarian energy sector is helping not only with the restoration, but also preventively."
Zhecho Stankov emphasized that the power supply has been restored everywhere in the region, with the exception of Elenite, and at their request.
"To date, there are no disconnected subscribers in the region, the power supply has been restored to all those who wish, only in "Elenite" at their request, we did not supply them with electricity, so as not to cause additional damage before they checked the entire orderliness of their part of the network."
The Minister of Energy commented on why, after the first snow fell last week, several settlements in the Tran region were left without electricity for 4-5 days.
"Indeed, people's attention was focused more on Elenite and Tsarevo, due to the large wave that was there. But in the western part of Bulgaria, the Tran, Montana, and Etropole regions, a lot of the electricity network was actually damaged by the heavy snow that fell on the crowns of trees that still had a lot of leaves. The lesson we have learned over the years shows us that when snow falls earlier, these trees break much more easily. Here I would also like to thank Minister Tahov for the fact that in a very short time, already over the weekend, we drafted a special bill, which is already in the hands of the parliamentarians. And it will allow not only in the area that is 7 meters on one side of the power line and 7 meters on the other side to clear all bushes and trees, but also all dangerous trees that are higher than 7 meters and threaten the energy system in such heavy snows - to be cleared in time, which was not allowed at the moment".
According to Zhecho Stankov, Bulgaria continues to be a major exporter of electricity to the Balkans.
"Bulgaria plays a dominant role in the region of Southeast Europe, not only with exports, which are currently 60% higher than last year, but also on the basis of the fact that we provide an opportunity for balancing other systems. We guarantee not only the security of Bulgarian customers, households and businesses, but also of the entire region, as we proved with our actions when the whole of North Macedonia was left without electricity and it was the Bulgarian system that helped restore power to them for a few hours. We are prepared for all situations. Of course, it is difficult to act against nature, but for me, prevention is a priority. Since taking office as Minister of Energy, I have prepared a bill that gives mayors a chance to participate in the investment programs of electricity distribution companies, to have a special channel for communication, to increase fines when certain tasks and recommendations that the state has given are not fulfilled, so that such situations are not allowed, as they were during the holidays last year."
The Minister confirmed that such fines have been imposed.
"Of course, the state always performs its functions, especially when there is incorrect implementation of licensing activities, both we and our colleagues from the EWRC, we have special units and directorates that perform this. Right now, you know that in the Sofia region, by conducting winter preparation checks, not only at the electricity companies, but also at the District Heating Companies, we are exercising full control and, if you will, pressure on the Sofia Municipal Council and the District Heating Company to restore the infrastructure in time, which, unfortunately, they are restoring right now, and not earlier, during the months when such repairs are most convenient."
On the topic of thousands of households remaining without heating and hot water during the winter in the capital's "Druzhba 2" district, Stankov commented:
"Speaking to the executive director, it turned out that he did not have an approved plan to do this, and even more so, there was no specific funding allocated, which has somewhat tied his hands, but for me it is more important to currently guarantee the warmth of the people in these neighborhoods. First of all, I have requested from my colleagues from the capital's "Toplofikatsiya" and that is where work is currently being done, that the network that supplies the schools and kindergartens in this neighborhood, which are 3 schools and 3 kindergartens, be replaced first, because imagine if the heating season begins and these children have to stay home due to poorly heated premises, this would be a big problem for young families not being able to go to work. Naturally, the task that I set for my colleagues is to carry out these repairs as quickly as possible, to ensure that they do not last 90 days and to disconnect the relevant subscribers branch by branch, and not to leave 120 buildings or nearly 40 thousand households without hot water and heat in the winter. "
The Minister expressed confidence that "Toplofikatsiya" - Sofia will fulfill its schedule for the repairs in "Druzhba 2" and announced that within 10 days the repair activities that ensure the heat supply in kindergartens and schools will be completed in order to guarantee the educational process.
"Every day my team is in the field or I personally speak to the executive director, he exudes such certainty that they will cope within this time frame, but control is the highest form of trust. To date, in the areas outside schools and kindergartens, all the routes that will be worked on later are being cleared, such as earth masses and trees, respectively, in order to reach the concrete covers that house the concrete sarcophagi, which house the pipes that will be replaced. I have been informed that the work will be completed within 10 days next week and we will guarantee the educational process."
When asked if there is a potential buyer for "Lukoil Neftochim", Stankov replied:
"You know that the opposition's job is very often to instill fear or to spew unconfirmed information or information that in some way hurts someone along the chain. It is important to mention here that the Minister of Energy has the function of exercising control through the golden share in "Lukoil Neftochim Burgas". We have an appointed employee in the Supervisory Board who informed me that there is no declared interest. The board has never officially considered such information that there is a buyer who has expressed interest and negotiations are being held with him. Naturally, the state must exercise all its capabilities and create a framework with which to guarantee what? First of all, security, because it is precisely "Lukoil Neftochim Burgas", before it was even owned by "Lukoil", that was included in a decree of the Council of Ministers, which states that it is part of the critical infrastructure that guarantees our national security. And that is why, both a special manager who can be appointed, and colleagues from SANS who have the right to speak out, at the beginning of this government we also created a screening mechanism, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Donchev, in order to guarantee that the sale or acquisition of such strategic assets can only happen under the supervision of the state."