The Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Assen Vassilev: We propose seven emergency measures to stabilise the energy

"After consultations with the participants in the energy system we have prepared seven emergency measures to stabilize it. They are for short term and will not solve long-term problems in the industry, but will start the process". It told in a media briefing the Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Assen Vassilev. In his words energy is currently inefficient - there is overcapacity and overproduction. The Installed capacities (12,000 MW) are about two and a half times more than the consumption in the country (4,700 MW) and for the export (up to 300 MW). In the coming months we will work hard for more transparency and stability of the power system, Vassilev said.
The first of the planned measures provides producers of energy from renewable sources - photovoltaics and wind turbines, which were in violation of the law to be stopped temporarily while comply with legal requirements. About 40% of PV and Wind Generators not provide information in real time to a central dispatching of electricity they produce. "This creates a great difficulty in managing the system, especially when we have excess in production" said Minister Vassilev.
Another suggestion of MEET refers is to a change in the purchase of energy produced by power stations. Currently they sell by discount the all of their production and buy back from the supplier quantities needed for their own needs. "This practice distorts the market and is in breach of EU directives," Minister Vassilev said. The public providers should purchase only residual energy in industrial plants, but not all, because in the latter case all consumers are subsidizing through their bills this electricity production. According to Minister Vassilev the subsidy amounts to about 50 million leva per year.
Following the third urgent measure the Electricity System Operator (ESO) has to offer a reducing of the amount of cold reserve until September 2013 from the current 1 040 MW to 840 MW. These capacities are needed for any emergency situation in the system and are paid no matter if they work or not. "Consumption is now significantly reduced and the energy system needs less such facilities,"