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"When there are no long-term contracts, a good price cannot be achieved. In August, quantities arriving by any means and at any price should be guaranteed. With a 60% price jump there should be support, so that the economy remains competitive and households have security during the new heating season," commented BSK economic adviser

Shteryo Nozharov on Bulgaria ON AIR.

He emphasized the main problem with the supply of American liquefied gas - it will be difficult to reach Bulgaria.

"The Greek terminals are booked, and the terminals through Turkey make gas more expensive. But since we don't have long-term contracts, August is the most suitable month for deliveries of quantities at any price and conditions. This is the task of the caretaker government. Then it will become complicated , there is a crisis in many countries," stressed Nozharov. 

In the absence of supplies and adequate government assistance, he predicts a difficult survival for many businesses.

Non-metallic minerals such as gypsum and glass are most affected by chemistry. 

"The production there cannot be stopped, the plant must be closed. In the current situation, a very severe winter is looming. If supplies are not guaranteed in August, there will be bankruptcies of enterprises. Will 225,000 workers be laid off or 25,000, this is a shocking situation for households as well," said Shteryo Nozharov.

According to Vanya Grigorova, the economic expert at the "Podkrepa" KT, the EC's call to limit gas consumption by 15% is inadmissible.

"At the beginning of the year, Bulgarian citizens did not realize how they use gas at all and allowed the European elites to turn off the tap of their main supplier with a light hand. Telling some people that they should limit their use of something will cost them much more . In Bulgaria, the problem is mainly the heating in Sofia. 1/3 of the gas is consumed by "Toplofikatsia Sofia". The options are an increase in the price of heating or "Toplofikatsia" continuing to accumulate losses. This will lead to the bankruptcy of the company, in one moment we will have to save it with state funds," Grigorova pointed out.

"We are thrown into a vicious, closed circle that has no solution. We will limit the hot water, the lighting of public buildings, but we cannot stop heating. In Bulgaria it is not like in France, where the doors of the big stores are open, but inside humming air conditioners We have few divisibility that we can limit painlessly.

A 4-hour electricity regime is already being discussed in Switzerland.

The fact that it is not considered in our country does not mean that there is no such risk.

Politicians are unwilling to have a real conversation.

Vassilev of the Council for Social Cooperation, said that our warehouses will be filled to 100% before autumn, this is hypnosis.

The struggles should not be at the expense of the Bulgarian citizen and business," commented Grigorova. 

She is adamant that the gas supplied is not cheaper than Gazprom. 

"Gas, for the delivery of which needs to be liquefied, transported and regasified, can never be cheaper. Gas cannot be guaranteed through a road that does not exist," added Grigorova.

And an economic advisor to BSK expressed optimism for the next heating season 2023/24.

"Europe was dependent for many years, gas terminals have suddenly started to be built. Europe will diversify its supply. This winter we have to survive somehow. The government and the state next year must give more funds to support households and businesses. The social partners we are united - government support is needed. We are rarely united when we are, so the situation is very complicated and difficult. We must do everything possible to get these 7 ships, the three ships by the New Year and find additional supplies." Nozharov said.

Grigorova called for limiting the export of electricity in order to compensate for the upcoming increase in consumption on the domestic market.

gas

winter season

Bulgaria