A national protest rally to postpone the liberalization of the electricity market and in defense of energy and coal mining workers will start today at 10:30 a.m. at Nezavisimost Square in Sofia. It is organized by KNSB and KT “Support” and their federations (NFE-KNSB, NSFEB-KNSB, FNSM-KNSB, SMF-KT “Support”, Federation “Energetics” – KT “Podkrepa”).
Workers at the “Maritsa Iztok” complex, “Bobov Dol” TPP, “Brickel” TPP, “Toplofikatsia-Pernik” and others are expected to participate in the rally, according to information from the National Security Agency.
Last week, the deputies of the 49th National Assembly postponed the liberalization of the electricity market for domestic consumers by one year. This happened with the first reading of three bills for changes to the Energy Act. With their decision of April 19 this year, the people’s representatives canceled the changes in the ZE adopted on October 5. The amendments provided that from July 1, 2024, the National Electricity Company (NEK) would cease to be a public supplier and producer quotas for the regulated market would be abolished. Yesterday, the Energy Committee of the National Assembly approved the changes in the second reading.
At a joint meeting of the Parliamentary Committees on Energy and Environment and Water, the MPs also voted in support of the updated Climate Neutrality Roadmap proposed by the Council of Ministers. The document describes the implementation of policies for full liberalization until 2026, as well as the introduction of long-term renewable energy contracts.
