The topic of energy has been among the most important in the last few months.

The EC wants to impose a ceiling of 180 euros on the profits of energy producers.

Funds above this amount to be distributed as assistance to households and businesses.

The EC's proposal is an attempt to strike a balance where the current market pricing model is maintained.

Martin Vladimirov, who is an energy expert from the Center for the Study of Democracy, explained this to BNR

"Electricity producers can sell their output at the highest possible price they achieve on the exchange, but their profits above €180 per megawatt hour will be seized by governments and redistributed.

We don't have a price ceiling.

Manufacturers are free to negotiate.

At 180 euros per megawatt hour, there is no producer of any type that is not making a profit.

That's a high price.

Everyone except those who are on natural gas will be in a huge profit."

Delyan Dobrev on the gas: In the end, the suffering will remain only for Russia

The commission is trying to prevent the breakdown of the electricity market this winter, the expert explained.

"If we talk about a price shock, we must not forget that it is caused by a severe shortage of electricity across Europe and will be intensified in the coming months by increased demand.

We do not want to have a scenario of power regime and shortage in a number of countries.

Western Europe is in a very difficult situation at the moment."

The most expensive gas is the one that does not arrive, the expert said.

"This is the one that Gazprom can offer us.

The Russian company has reduced supplies to all of Europe to record low levels.

Currently only 9% of gas consumption is met by Gazprom If we take such a risky move and restore supplies from them when they will most likely stop in the winter in a desperate attempt by the Kremlin to undermine Europe's unity in the face of sanctions and Ukraine, would be absolutely short-sighted.

From a price point of view, it wouldn't be far-sighted either.

Azeri gas, which we will buy from October 1, is currently quoted at 5 to 6 times lower than Russian gas.

We do not need these additional quantities of Russian gas.

The problem is that we do not have agreed long-term supplies.

The purchase of the additional quantities will probably be done on a month-by-month basis.

and this is not a good option and with it the price is higher.

I hope that Bulgargaz and the government will do everything possible to conclude a long-term contract for the supply of liquefied natural gas."

We appealed even before the start of the invasion in Ukraine for the government to conclude a solidarity agreement with Romania and Greece for the allocation of possible slots for alternative supplies at the Revitusa terminal in Greece, explained Vladimirov.

“It was expanded and has spare capacity.

We must ensure that their companies do not monopolize the terminal.

We have no real agreement with Turkey either.

One must be signed for inter-system connectivity.

The EC insists that precisely such agreements be concluded with the neighboring member countries.

Bulgaria must do it by December 1".

Our country will not remain in the dark and in the cold during the winter, the expert assured.

"Bulgaria is the third largest exporter of electricity on the Old Continent.

Of all the countries in Southeast Europe, we are the best prepared for the winter period from the point of view of load on the electricity system.

Probably, our country will play a key role so that there is no electricity regime in countries like Serbia.

From the point of view of gas, the situation is more complicated, but we are not talking about a shortage, but about price levels, he explained.

“Industrial users will be hit the hardest.

Many of the companies that can electrify already do.

A mechanism is needed to reduce gas consumption, especially at peak times in winter."

Bulgaria depends relatively little on natural gas, Vladimirov reminded in the program "Nedelya 150".

GERB's proposal to organize an international auction for liquefied gas is not a bad idea, the expert believes.

"There will be more publicity and transparency.

Companies operating in the US are the most likely suppliers of additional quantities of gas.

The prices will be up to 30% lower than the average prices in Europe".

It would be good to negotiate together with neighboring countries, for example with Greece.

We must perceive ourselves as one region, Vladimirov said.

Gazprom