Minister Malinov in Gabrovo: It is unacceptable that Bulgarian citizens are still without electricity

"It is unacceptable that Bulgarian citizens are still without electricity for such a long period of time." This was said by the Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov after a meeting with the Mayor of Gabrovo Municipality Tanya Hristova. "The active work of state institutions and emergency teams to eliminate all accidents continues in coordination," he added. Minister Malinov called on the EWRC inspection of the investment program for maintenance and repair of the electricity distribution network of the three electricity distribution companies to be completed as soon as possible. "If there are violations, within the framework of the law, the sanctions should be the strictest," he added.

In Gabrovo, Minister Vladimir Malinov informed about the decision that the Council of Ministers will take on Monday, by which, in addition to the penalties that the EDPs owe to their customers, the state will provide over 2 million leva in assistance to households left without electricity. The state will double the penalties by paying 30 leva to consumers who have been left without power for more than 24 hours, and for each subsequent period of 12 hours – 20 leva for each period started. “We believe that the penalties that the EDPs owe are insufficient and therefore we will double them,” Malinov emphasized. The state’s assistance does not cancel the obligation of the electricity distribution companies to pay the compensation due to customers, but supplements them. The expected number of households is over 20,000, which will be assisted with a total of over 2 million leva.

According to him, after the 48th hour of power outage, it is up to the Minister of Energy to decide whether to introduce a restrictive regime in connection with force majeure circumstances. "Since the weather is returning to normal and the roads are cleared, I believe that there are no grounds for introducing a restrictive regime," he was categorical.

In Gabrovo, Minister Malinov announced that after a conversation with the leadership of the Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria, a meeting will be held at the Ministry of Energy on January 9. It will outline long-term measures to prevent the occurrence of such emergency situations. He pointed out that expanding the easement zones around power lines is extremely important in order to ensure easier maintenance. Another measure discussed was the relocation of overhead lines underground in risk areas.