Bulgaria's energy regulator, the EWRC, meets today at 10:00 to decide whether gas prices will rise 5.96% in October. The meeting is open to the public. Once the commission looks over Bulgargaz's application, it will set next month's price.

Bulgargaz, the state gas supplier, wants to sell gas at 44.08 euros per megawatt-hour, before grid fees, excise duty and VAT. In September the price was 41.60 euros per megawatt-hour on the same terms, a figure the EWRC approved on August 31.

Bulgargaz sells gas at this price to end suppliers and to firms licensed to produce and carry heat. The figure sets the benchmark for district heating firms, gas distributors and industry, so it shapes what households pay for heating and hot water, as well as what businesses pay for gas.