The Ministry of Energy has reported that nearly 143 million euros have been paid out from the Electricity System Security Fund to cover high electricity costs between the beginning of the year and 3 December. Of this amount, just over 142 million euros were paid from 1 July to 3 December, while the scheme’s total budget stands at 281 million euros.
In line with state aid rules, the Council of Ministers approved a compensation scheme for non-household electricity end-users from 1 July to 31 December 2024. The scheme covers 100% of the difference between the average monthly exchange price for base load electricity on the day-ahead segment of the Bulgarian Independent Energy Exchange (IBEX) and a base price of 92 euros/MWh.
The average baseload prices on the day-ahead segment of the IBEX for each month were as follows:
- November: 168 euros/MWh
- October: 89 euros/MWh
- September: 106 euros/MWh
- August: 126 euros/MWh
- July: 136 euros/MWh
Furthermore, the Ministry of Energy highlighted that public institutions, including community centers, religious establishments, kindergartens, schools, and children’s sports academies, are also eligible for compensation under a program approved by Council of Ministers Decision 294/2024. From the beginning of the year to 3 December, these institutions received approximately 570,000 euros in compensation. The indicative budget for this program is 25.6 million euros for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2024.