News

9 June 2026

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva sent yet another opinion to the Chairman of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) Plamen Mladenovski regarding the public consultation on the draft new heating prices for residential consumers, which are set to take effect on 1 July 2026.

In her position, the Ombudsman acknowledges the regulator’s efforts to significantly limit the heating companies’ initial requests for price increases—from an average of 30.65% to a weighted average change of 4.58%. As early as April of this year, when heating companies first proposed raising prices, the Ombudsman expressed strong opposition to a sharp increase in heating costs. The most drastic requests were for a 69.05% increase for customers in Ruse, 49.42% for Vratsa, 33.37% for Sliven, 29.68% for Pernik, and 29% for Sofia.

The Ombudsman warns once again that even a modest increase will have an impact on households.

“Even minimal increases in energy prices, given the country’s current social and economic situation, would have a severe impact on household budgets,” the Ombudsman emphasised.

In her opinion, Delcheva also highlights the need for stricter control over technical losses in heat distribution networks. She notes that, according to data from the EWRC, district heating companies continue to report losses significantly higher than the European average, with this indicator having deteriorated significantly in recent years at Toplofikacia Sofia EAD.

"It is important to implement measures to effectively reduce transmission losses in heat distribution networks, which go beyond mere financial adjustments to the companies' recognised costs," the Ombudsman's statement further notes.

Velislava Delcheva also draws attention to the numerous reports from citizens regarding malfunctions in the district heating network.

“I consider this issue to be particularly important, as numerous complaints and reports from citizens to the Ombudsman concern emergency hot water leaks from the heat distribution network of Toplofikacia Sofia EAD, which flood the basements of buildings and the spaces between blocks, posing a danger to citizens’ health and property,” the public defender stressed.

In her opinion, Delcheva also raises questions regarding the implementation of the district heating companies’ repair and investment programmes, as well as the manner in which the achievement of quality indicators was taken into account when setting the new prices.

According to the Ombudsman, citizens expect a real improvement in the quality of heat supply and service, especially given the frequent breakdowns and interruptions in hot water and heating, which continue to be among the most common reasons for complaints to the institution.

In conclusion, Velislava Delcheva calls on the EWRC to conduct a further review of the estimates before adopting the final decision.

“I am calling for a review of the proposed new heating rates effective from 1 July 2026 in order to convince consumers that the  Commission has exhausted all possible reserves and tools to limit price increases,” the Ombudsman stated emphatically.