All utility prices will rise simultaneously on July 1 2008, the head of the State Energy and Water Regulation Commission (SEWRC) Konstantin Shoushoulov told journalists on March 5 after a session of the parliamentary energy commission.

Heating prices, in particular, are set to go up 15 per cent. The hike will accommodate the increase of natural gas prices by 9.87 per cent as of January this year and the forthcoming increase by 10 per cent in April.

As previously reported by The Sofia Echo, electricity distribution companies also requested an increase of household fees. CEZ requested that fees rise by nine per cent, EVN - by 12.5 per cent and E.ON - by 10.1 per cent. SEWRC will discuss the electricity companies' request on March 11.

In April, the energy and water watchdog is expected to allow Maritza Iztok mines to raise the price of coal by 16 per cent, Shoushoulov said. The price adjustment is set to come simultaneously with the hike of electricity prices of Maritza Iztok thermal power plants. Unless the price hike is concurrent, the power grid will suffer 22 million leva in losses, to be distributed among the National Electric Company (NEC), CEZ, EVN and E.ON.

Water utility are also to go up as of July because water and sewerage companies using electricity-powered pumps will have to pay more for electricity. SEWRC will give its approval to the request of Sofiyska voda, the Sofia water utility, to raise the water price in Sofia to 1.20 leva per cu m, although only after it receives the first tranche of a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and proves it has carried out investments worth 15 million leva. The Sofia water utility requested the hike on the recommendation of experts from the European Commission.