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From Bulgaria

01.06.2011 14:48

Energy Trade Platform to Be Tested in July

According to the data of the energy ministry, cited by Minister Dobrev, only about 27% of the energy trading in Bulgaria is currently on the liberalized market

AUTHOR: publics.bg

Deputy-minister Dobrev
© Ministry of economy, energy and tourism

The liberalized electricity market is the only viable long-term perspective for development of the Bulgarian energy sector, said Deputy-minister of economy, energy and tourism Delian Dobrev during a conference regarding the energy market liberalization yesterday.

He presented the current work on starting an energy trading market in Bulgaria, stating that the energy trade platform would be tested in July this year and would be fully operational in 2012. Dobrev suggested that a liquid free market which includes a large number of energy traders might result in long term decrease of electricity prices.

According to the data of the energy ministry, cited by Minister Dobrev, only about 27% of the energy trading in Bulgaria is currently on the liberalized market. He stressed the lack of public referential price, as well as the lack of hourly schedules of the regulated market. He also criticized the fact that currently the National Electricity Company is the only balancing energy trader, which means there is no competition in this niche of the energy market.

Recent data shows that by January 2011 there were 6 electricity producers, 66 consumers and 34 traders to conclude deals on the liberalized market in Bulgaria. The total amount of electricity sold on the liberalized market is some 1.1 mn. MWh.

Dobrev highlighted the need to create spot market, intraday and balancing trading. He stated that new rules for electricity trading have already been published.

According to the project for amendments in the Energy Act, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) would administrate the electricity market. The future amendments would also change the criteria for determining which consumers would fall in the protected category.