Bulgaria Grapples with Surge in Electricity Bill Complaints

Sofia, Bulgaria – A wave of protests and over 8,000 complaints to regulatory bodies signal growing public discontent over sharply increased household electricity bills in Bulgaria. The surge in complaints prompted a meeting on March 20, 2026, hosted by Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva, bringing together ministers, state institutions, electricity distribution companies, and consumer organizations to address the issue.

Rising Complaints and Calls for Transparency

Ombudsman Delcheva reported receiving a total of 800 complaints regarding the increased bills, with citizens expressing concern over the lack of installment payment options. Economy and Industry Minister Irina Shtonova acknowledged the scale of the problem, stating that the thousands of complaints indicate a significant issue requiring investigation. She called for transparency and an analysis of historical consumption patterns to determine if the recent spike is unprecedented.

Consumption Increases and Regulatory Scrutiny

The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (KEWR) is currently reviewing 6,548 complaints related to high electricity bills, having already processed 3,707 as of March 20, 2026. KEWR Chairman Plamen Mladenovski explained that initial investigations focus on verifying electricity purchase quantities from suppliers. Data indicates a significant increase in consumption during December due to colder temperatures, with some companies reporting purchases 33 to 47 percent higher than usual. January saw an additional 14 to 16 percent increase in purchases from the stock market.

Mladenovski highlighted overall consumption increases ranging from 53 to 68 percent across various companies, specifically citing 53 percent for Electrohold and 68 percent for Energo-Pro.

Energo-Pro and the Energy Sector

Energo-Pro, founded in 1994 by Jaromír Tesař, is a major player in the Bulgarian energy sector. The company distributes energy to over 2.6 million customers in Bulgaria and Georgia, making it the largest electricity distribution company in Georgia and the largest private hydropower producer in Bulgaria. Energo-Pro too generates electricity through 54 hydropower plants across five countries: the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Georgia, Turkey, and Spain, with expansion underway in Latin America.

Investment and Future Outlook

Energy Minister Traicho Traikov pointed to a recent parliamentary decision blocking structural changes within the Bulgarian Energy Holding as a missed opportunity for investment in the energy sector. He argued that such investments could improve system efficiency and lower prices for consumers.

Key Takeaways

• Over 8,000 complaints have been filed regarding high electricity bills in Bulgaria.
• The KEWR is actively investigating the surge in complaints, having processed over 3,700 as of March 20, 2026.
• Increased consumption during colder months appears to be a major contributing factor to higher bills.
• Energo-Pro is a key energy distributor in Bulgaria, serving over 2.6 million customers.
• Concerns remain regarding potential investment opportunities to improve energy sector efficiency.