NATURAL GAS PRICE SET TO INCREASE IN BULGARIA

The price of natural gas in Bulgaria will increase by nearly 2% from 1st October, a report by the Bulgarian Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) says. So the “blue fuel”, which Bulgargaz sells will cost 286.60 BGN per 1,000 cubic metre.

This will be the first increase over the recent two years. The last time the price of natural gas wen up was in January 2015.

"Bulgargaz" itself had demands for an increase in the gas price by 3.27% as of October. The company estimates the cost of fuel on the basis of prices at international markets. However, the members of EWRC have not agreed with the estimates and think that so far the gas company has received more income based on the price at which it buys the fuel from Russia.

Currently, Bulgargaz buys more than 90% of the natural gas from Moscow. Other sources are the domestic production, but at the moment it is very small.

The price of natural gas is determining for the prices of district heating and hot water in Bulgaria. However, they see changes only if the gas prices go up or down by more than 5%.