2024-03-31 19:55:08
The Bulgarian energy industry is in a dire state. In the last 3 years it was only used as a political chewing gum and that too during war. The silence of the political elite shows a pleasant acquiescence, regardless of the fact that they are faking war among themselves. The price is paid by the people. This was stated by the former minister of energy in the “Kiril Petkov” cabinet, Alexander Nikolov, to the BNR.
He categorically rejected the accusations against him that the energy was drained.
“In the period from the second half of 2021, so far, 5.4 billion have been seized from the energy sector and are directed to the state budget,” said Nikolov.
And he suggested “let’s go back to 2021 to the first cabinet, after the protests, to see the behavior of quite a few political figures”.
“The topic of “Heating” – Sofia is very directly related to energy, prosecutor’s office, investigation and so on. I had to face all aspects of the sector head on. Until the end of 2022, the financial results of the companies can be tracked”, recommended the Minister of Energy in Kiril Petkov’s office.
He explained that you can see the money of the Energy Security Fund and money allocated for compensation and where the money went.
The only funds that were allocated outside the system were for Belene. Second, at the end of 2022, although from August 2022 the next caretaker government, of Galab Donev, enters, and the financial results can be compared. I had huge expectations and hopes, which unfortunately evaporated with pain, that the current cabinet would have the courage to show the real state of the sector that it found. And it didn’t happen, and why didn’t it happen? I have an answer. The fact that the problems were kept quiet will create a political problem in the elections for those who kept them quiet,” predicts Alexander Nikolov.
He commented that “the problems are very simple”:
For electricity, from being a net exporter on a huge scale, Bulgaria has become a net importer of electricity. Firstly, because of the delayed investment program of many of the companies, the delay of funds under the Plan and thirdly, inefficient management of the companies in BAH. Due to this and as a result of the phased price liberalization, electricity prices will increase.
“The second effect is the so-called gas policy, or rather the lack thereof. As a result of extreme incompetence and corruption, “Bulgargaz” is in a deplorable financial state and the financial report is not published in the Commercial Register. This is due to the way contracts for current supplies are concluded. Political entities that claim to be uncorrupt and transparent have been scared to publish it. A committee was set up which produced nothing. And no steps are being taken to renegotiate or revise,” commented Nikolov.
He explained the situation as “when a state-owned company with all its tools is managed inefficiently, it leads to a displacement of the market of commercial entities”.
“Because of this, in just 9 months, the market share of Bulgargaz has decreased by more than 25%.” When it loses because it does not have efficient supply prices, the only buyers are those who do not pay. The worst example of this is “Heating” – Sofia. From its expenditure part, mainly natural gas, it does not pay and accumulates debt, which is transferred. At the same time, however, the collection rate from citizens in Sofia is extremely high. That is, the revenue is received, the bulk of the expenses are not paid, and the bulk of the money that is spent is directly controlled. And what happens in the final days of assembly? Sofia Municipality is the principal of the company. From where to where a company in Sofia will be capitalized with the money of all the people from Bulgaria? And Sofia residents can heat themselves in another way – air conditioners, pellets. This and distortion in the market and then reaching into the state budget to clean up irrational practices is strange,” said Alexander Nikolov.