The Ombudsman with a recommendation to the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) and the Ministry of Energy to check electricity bills

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

In their reports, people claim that their electricity bills are higher compared to previous periods. They also express concerns that there is a lack of clear, public and understandable information about the way the amounts due are formed.

Especially worrying are the signals from socially vulnerable people, especially pensioners, who say that they cannot cope with the high bills.

Citizens insist on institutional intervention, checks on the reading of electricity meters, as well as control over the way in which energy companies form electricity invoices. A number of complaints also indicate a sharp and inexplicable increase in electricity consumption.

Given the growing public tension, also 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 repayment of obligations in order to avoid interruption of electricity supply. The institution's practice shows that such an approach is not applied by all suppliers.

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