The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) approved a price of natural gas for December in the amount of BGN 63.01/MWh (BGN/megawatt hour) or EUR 32.22/MWh, excluding access fees, transmission, excise and VAT, the regulator announced.
At this price, Bulgargaz EAD will sell natural gas to end suppliers and to persons who have been issued a license for the production and transmission of thermal energy.
The approved price of BGN 63.01/MWh (EUR 32.22/MWh) is 4.3 percent lower than the November one, which was in the amount of BGN 65.82/MWh, (EUR 33.65/MWh). The reason is the ongoing reduction of the TTF price index on international gas exchanges, as well as the partial cancellation of some customers from previously requested quantities. A reference to the price levels shows that the current price is 16.3 percent lower compared to December 2024 and 34 percent lower compared to December 2023.
The regulator approved the price after an analysis of the current data submitted by Bulgargaz EAD. The price mix includes the entire contracted quantity of Azerbaijani natural gas, supplied via the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector (IGB), according to the long-term contract with Azerbaijan. These quantities cover a significant part of the consumption and have an important role in achieving a favorable price for the blue fuel. Bulgargaz has provided for the month of December quantities of liquefied natural gas under concluded contracts with traders, after an organized auction with requirements for a minimum delivery price and a proposed method of payment. The price mix for the month also includes a quantity from the extraction from the Chiren underground gas storage facility.
The approved price of natural gas includes a component for the price of natural gas at the entrance of the gas transmission networks, a component for the activity "public supply" under Art. 17, para. 7 of the Regulation for the regulation of natural gas prices (NRCPG) and a component for compensating costs under Art. 11a, para. 2 of the NRCPG, covering the costs of Bulgargaz EAD for storing quantities in the gas storage facility in Chiren, in fulfillment of obligations under the Action Plan for emergency situations.
With the provided quantities, the public supplier covers its commitments for December - to the end suppliers and district heating companies, as well as under bilateral contracts with industrial customers. Gas supplies have been agreed for the entire winter season and if there is no significant increase in demand in the region, the price may remain around the current levels, which would ensure price stability for Bulgarian consumers, the EWRC points out.