Over 250 thousand companies that pay at the prices of a Supplier of last resort will receive discounts on the price of electricity from November 1

Over 250,000 companies that now pay for energy at the prices of a Supplier of Last Instance (SLI) from November 1 will receive discounts on the value. This is a result of the amendment and supplement of the Methodology for determining the electricity prices of the supplier of last resort / Methodology /, adopted by the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (EWRC), which are in implementation of the measures announced by the government and the energy regulator, to limit the negative impact of electricity prices on the stock market on non-household consumers.

The changes in the Methodology are aimed at small and medium business consumers who are on the free electricity market, but have not concluded a contract with a trader, but are supplied with electricity at prices of a supplier of last resort (SLI), the EWRC press center announced.

This is the most expensive way of supply, which has a disciplinary effect in order to encourage consumers to enter into a contract with an electricity trader. Currently in this situation are about 256 thousand non-domestic consumers, or 41% of all consumers buying electricity from the free market.

With the adopted changes in the Methodology, the formula for determining the price of electricity from TED is changed, which will allow the bills of non-household users of TED to be reduced by BGN 15 to BGN 30 per MWh, the EWRC emphasizes.

The measure will be short-term - within 3 months, starting from 1.11.2021, during which time the consumers of TED should conclude contracts with suppliers of electricity from the free market in order not to pay for electricity at prices of TED, where it is significantly higher.

According to the Methodology, the average selling price of electricity of TED is tied to the price of electricity on the market segment "Day ahead" of the organized electricity exchange market, including the component for the activity "supply of electricity from TED".

With the adopted amendments, for the specified 3-month period, this component will amount to 5 percent, but not more than BGN 10 / MWh, which will reduce the average selling price for TED clients. In this way, small non-residential customers are provided with an additional transitional period during which they will be able to conclude a contract with a supplier of their choice.

In accordance with the regulatory requirements, before the adoption of the changes in the Methodology, the Commission held a public discussion on October 8, 2021 with the participation of NEK EAD and the three electricity supply companies, reminded by the energy regulator.

Earlier, during the public discussion, the electricity distribution companies disagreed with the change of the methodology for energy from TED. "This is a transfer of the problem to the electricity distribution companies. Everyone is talking about how good the measure is, how the price will be reduced by changing the methodology. However, with this change in methodology, a private company finances municipal, state and budget companies," said the deputy chairman. EVN's Management Board Kalina Trifonova According to her, 67% of the small business is consumed by a household consumer and he will hardly feel the help, but the difference will be felt by the energy companies.

In accordance with the requirements for publicity and transparency, the draft amendment to the Methodology and the report of the working group were published in advance on the website of the regulator and on the Portal for public consultations. All stakeholders who participated in the public discussion were given the opportunity to submit written opinions within 14 days, it is specified in today's announcement of the regulator.

The decision of the regulator for amendment and supplement of the Methodology for determining the prices of electricity of TED was sent for publication in the State Gazette, in view of the normative act to enter into force on 1.11.2021.