News

4 February 2026

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva sent a recommendation to the Chairman of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) Plamen Mladenovski and to the outgoing Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov in connection with dozens of complaints received at the institution, in which citizens state that they have received inexplicably high electricity bills for the period December 2025 – January 2026.

In their reports, people claim that their electricity bills are higher than in previous periods. They also express concern that there is a lack of clear, public, and understandable information about how the amounts due are calculated.

Particularly alarming are the reports from socially vulnerable people, mainly pensioners, who say they cannot cope with the high bills.

Citizens are insisting on institutional intervention, checks on electricity meter readings, and control over the way energy companies calculate electricity bills. A number of complaints also point to a sharp and inexplicable increase in electricity consumption.

Given the growing public tension, reflected in the media and social networks, the Ombudsman recommends that independent or joint inspections of electricity companies be carried out regarding the formation of electricity bills for the period November 2025 – January 2026.

The Ombudsman also insists that attention be paid to the possibility of electricity supply companies providing an option for deferred payment of debts in order to prevent power cuts. The institution's practice shows that such an approach is not applied by all suppliers.

The Ombudsman expects timely and objective checks, as well as their public disclosure.