Bulgaria’s energy regulator, the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR), has approved a 4.5% increase in the regulated wholesale natural gas price for August. The new level is set at approximately €39.40/MWh, excluding VAT and excise duties.
August tariff adjustment after procurement strategy change
The KEVR decision follows a 5.84% increase in July. It also reflects changes in the procurement strategy of state-owned supplier Bulgargaz. The revised approach was linked to reduced deliveries from Azerbaijan during August planning.
Bulgargaz adjusted its initial supply plan after the shortfall in Azerbaijani deliveries became clear. The company had first intended to cover missing quantities by withdrawing gas from the Chiren underground storage facility. It later opted to preserve domestic storage and instead purchase replacement volumes from Turkey.
KEVR approved an increase that was slightly below the level sought by Bulgargaz in its revised submission. The proposed regulated price rose because imported replacement gas was more expensive than withdrawing already-stored volumes.
Implications for supply security and power-sector costs
The decision is tied to a trade-off between short-term price protection and maintaining supply later in the year. Using Chiren would have reduced immediate procurement needs but would also have lowered gas available for the winter heating season. Purchasing replacement quantities from Turkey supports inventory levels while shifting additional costs into the August tariff.
Bulgaria’s direct exposure to gas used in electricity generation is smaller than that of Greece or Romania, where nuclear and coal plants dominate dispatchable generation differently. Gas pricing still affects district heating, industrial users, balancing generation, and the cost of keeping flexible capacity during renewable fluctuations.
The regulated price of €39.40/MWh remains below the broader Central European gas level observed in early August. However, successive increases in July and August indicate renewed procurement pressure.
