Managers of the seven electricity distribution companies in Bulgaria opposed plans of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC) to enforce new electricity prices starting October 1.

The new prices offered would lead to losses for the companies, as well as to difficulties in implementing investment programmes and to lower quality in electricity provision, company representatives said.

SEWRC offered the introduction of a unified price system starting October 1. End consumers would pay 0.146 leva a kilowatt hour, VAT not included, Darik Radio reported. Night-time tariffs would remain unchanged.

So far consumers enjoyed lower price for the first 75 kilowatt hours consumed each month. International financial institutions called for the removal of the preferential prices.

This step was going to lead to significant price increase for poorer families, company representatives said. In addition it was unclear how prices were going to be calculated and SEWRC refused to carry out dialogue before taking a decision, company representatives said.

In case company representatives and the regulatory body fail reaching an agreement by Wednesday September 13 the new prices would come into effect on November 1, SEWRC representatives said.