Minister of Energy Andrey Zhivkov: There is no electricity shortage in Bulgaria

There is no electricity shortage in Bulgaria. The gas storage facility in Chiren operates at 70% of its total capacity. Analysts predict that gas prices will remain high and that gas markets will not calm before the second quarter of 2022. Gas prices will also depend heavily on the winter, Bulgaria’s caretaker Minister of Energy Andrey Zhivkov said in an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio.

In his view, the small and medium enterprises are the most affected by the sharp increase of electricity prices. "Household consumers are protected, because they are part of the regulated market", said Minister Zhivkov. In his words, Bulgaria’s government has been developing three scenarios regarding the closure of coal mining and they will be discussed in the next National Assembly.