Price of natural gas in Bulgaria would not go up by more than 5% beginning January 1, 2011, according to Angel Semerdzhiev, Head of the State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR).

The comments came on the heels of Monday forecasts of Bulgargaz that the price hike will reach nearly 18% in 2012.

Bulgargaz, which is the sole public supplier of natural gas for the territory of Bulgaria, is mandated to announce prices a month before the submission of their quarterly price requests with DKEVR.

According to the DKEVR head, central heating prices will stay the same without going up in the middle of the winter season.

"Since there is no reason to increase price of fuels and the exchange rate of the USD, most likely, the increase will be even below 5%, and we will prove it to Bulgargaz with numbers," said Semerdzhiev.

Price of water, however, will increase slightly, over increased expenses of water supply companies for their investment programs, taxes and effort to reduce wasting of water.

Regarding intentions of the capital Sofia's water utility to cut water supply to people who have not paid their bill, Semerdzhiev was adamant the company has no right to leave without water entire apartment buildings.

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