The topic of the increase in the price of electricity after July 1 died down around the election campaign, but the problem remains. This opinion was expressed by energy expert Prof. Georgi Kaschiev.
"The shortfall in the Fund is huge. By the middle of the year, it should reach about BGN 550 million, and there is no way to pay the funds provided for "Maritsa East 1", for RES producers. We need to find money to fill this hole", he commented in "The Day ON AIR".
Measures are being considered to increase contributions from producers, but it would be difficult to cover the missing money, analyzes Prof. Kaschiev.
"It is inevitable that there will be some increase in the price of electricity. All costs are rising. Metals and goods are rising in price. Like any commodity, electricity is a function of many other things and it is reasonable that there will be an increase in price. As far as I remember, the estimates a few months ago were that night electricity would become more expensive by about one and a half cents," the expert pointed out.
According to him, the caretaker government should solve the issue, as the regulars will not dare.
"Now is the time", the guest emphasized, predicting "swelling of accounts by around BGN 5-10."
Prof. Kaschiev noted to Bulgaria ON AIR the decrease in electricity production in the first quarter of the "Kozloduy" NPP, respectively in revenues and profit.
"The root cause is something no one talks about. Unit Six has not reached full capacity since it was commissioned in mid-November. "No one is saying where the reason is - either they have reached some safety limit, or they are afraid that they will reach a limit below safety if they raise to full power," explained the energy expert.
If they manage to reach full power, it will become clear if everything is fine, summed up Prof. Kaschiev.