Bulgaria stops exports of electricity

Bulgaria stopped exporting electricity for the second time this year. The ban on exports was enforced in the early hours today by an order of Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Traicho Traikov and will be in force for an unlimited period of time. The new ban on exports is due to the extremely cold weather spell in Bulgaria, resulting in a record-high increase in consumption. Another reason is Maritsa Iztok Mines’ difficulties to supply coal in the region because of the flooding in its pits. The company is operating in emergency mode now and delivers solid fuel to the thermoelectric power plants.

The ban on the export of electricity came into force at 1 a.m. today and will last until TPPs replenish their coal reserves, explained the Electricity System Operator (ESO). Until now, Bulgaria was exporting about 900 MW of electricity, mainly to Serbia, Macedonia and Turkey. Another reason for the suspended exports is the breakdown at AES Galabovo TPP, specified ESO. The entire cold reserve of the country is currently in use in order to ensure consumption. Last week, consumption at peak hours stood at around 7,200 MW and no changes in this respect are expected in the coming days.

“The price of electricity  for end users will increase by no more than 5% because of the switch to new green power plants,” said yesterday Anton Ivanov, an expert from the Bulgarian Energy Forum (BEF). He said that such an increase cannot result in electricity price increase of over 10%, as experts from the energy regulator explained. “New 500 MW capacities from wind and photovoltaic plants are expected to be put into operation by the middle of the year,” said Ivan Hinovski, Chairman of BEF. Deadlines for connection in the period 2017-2020 will be set with the amendments to the Renewable and Alternative Energy Sources Act for other projects that have preliminary contracts for switching to the grid.