Bulgarian Lawmakers Warn of Price Hikes Amid Energy Surge
Bulgarian opposition lawmakers warn that surging electricity costs may force businesses to raise consumer prices as early as next week.
Opposition lawmakers in Bulgaria are warning that businesses may raise prices on goods and services as early as next week due to surging electricity costs. Zhecho Stankov, a member of parliament for GERB, reported that average electricity exchange prices for October reached 232 euros per megawatt-hour, representing a more than 150% increase over summer levels.
Stankov has pressed the National Assembly to adopt a draft resolution that would restore a monthly compensation mechanism for non-household consumers. The proposal seeks to cover 100% of costs exceeding 92 euros per megawatt-hour to provide financial predictability for small businesses. Radoslav Ribarski, an MP for PP, criticized the ruling majority for a lack of consistent energy policy and delayed payments, arguing that uncertainty forces businesses to cut staff or reduce profits ahead of winter.
These warnings follow data showing Bulgaria recorded the third-largest electricity price increase for non-household consumers in the European Union during the first half of 2026, rising by 14.2%. This trend diverged from the overall EU average, where business electricity prices declined by 2%. While Bulgaria's average business price of 0.1452 euros per kWh remained below the EU average, no compensation payments were issued during that period because prices remained below the 122.71 euro trigger threshold on the Independent Bulgarian Energy Exchange.
