We Continue the Change (PP) has called on the ruling Progressive Bulgaria party to come up with a compensation scheme that works for businesses hit by high electricity prices. It wants monthly payments, clear criteria and a realistic financing plan. MP Radoslav Rybarski read the parliamentary group's statement from the rostrum of the National Assembly.

"Bulgaria does not need excuses. It needs a working energy policy. Enough crisis PR. You are in power and nobody else is to blame," Rybarski told the ruling majority.

The statement says the average wholesale price of electricity was €230 per megawatt hour in October and reached €350 to €400 at peak hours. From April to the end of October the price rose steadily, from about €90 to more than €300 per megawatt hour.

Rybarski said the price of electricity is built into the price of every product, service and bill, so households will pay more for food, services and basic goods. He said businesses will have to cope with high prices for at least a year.

In September the government approved a new compensation scheme for non-household users, meaning firms and organisations. It covers the period from September to June 2027, and payments will be made by 31 December 2027. The budget is up to €140m, to be paid from the Electricity System Security Fund.

PP believes the fund will need more than €500m under the current scheme, and says it is not clear at all where that money will come from. Rybarski added that firms do not know what share of their costs they will get back, or whether the fund will have enough money.

The ruling party talks about stability, but firms' bills are getting harder to predict, the MP said. He said the government talks of support, yet compensation has been put off until the end of next year. Rybarski called the aid late and just more empty hopes, "this time served without a basket of care".

He asked why the state backed businesses in 2022, 2023 and 2024 with extra revenue from windfall profits in the energy sector and from Lukoil, while the government now hesitates to do the same.

PP also wants a public plan for natural gas supplies over the winter. It should include a timetable for drawing gas from the Chiren storage facility, the price of the volumes bought, and what will be done in a crisis.

The party also presses for a specific plan to ensure enough electricity output over the winter. It should show available reserves and capacity, and what will be done if nuclear capacity is cut because of an accident or another emergency.

The MPs asked for full financial transparency and a report on the contract with Botas, along with information on how far talks to renegotiate it have got.

Rybarski said energy does not belong to any party. He said it is a matter of national security, competitiveness and quality of life.