Energy minister Iva Petrova said state aid for energy-intensive firms over high power prices could rise from 50% to 70%, the maximum the European Commission allows. She told reporters this after a meeting of teams from the energy, finance and economy ministries with employer and trade union groups.

On Tuesday the same groups sent a joint letter asking for an urgent meeting with the government. They warned that some production could stop because of electricity prices.

See also: Business and unions call for urgent talks with government over high power bills

The aid rate shows what share of a firm's eligible electricity costs the state can cover. The scheme is state aid notified to the European Commission, and the notification must be updated to allow 70%.

Dobri Mitrev, head of the Bulgarian Economic Chamber, said everyone at the meeting agreed that aid for energy-intensive industry should reach the limit the Commission allows. "We are discussing different measures, but we are still waiting for calculations and for the different energy intensity of firms, so the state can give better support," he told reporters, as quoted by BTA. Mitrev expects compensation for business as early as October.

Those at the meeting also discussed the current scheme for non-household users, which the Council of Ministers approved in September. It pays back part of the electricity costs of firms and of the transmission and distribution grid operators when they buy power for technological costs. BTA says this is an automatic mechanism for when electricity prices in South-East Europe change sharply.

The scheme runs from 1 September 2026 to 30 June 2027. The base price is €122.71 per megawatt hour, excluding VAT. When the average price on the day-ahead base segment of the Bulgarian Independent Energy Exchange for the same months is above that, the difference is compensated, but by no more than 80%.