Angel Semerdzhiev, Chair of the State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR), has given assurances that the sale of power distributor E.ON Bulgaria will not have a dramatic impact on consumers.

In a Monday interview for the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), he explained that the energy watchdog had not been given prior notice of the deal but specified that it was common practice for such transactions to be kept secret until the last moment.

Semerdzhiev rejected claims that E.ON was withdrawing from Bulgaria due to an overregulated market.

DKEVR's Chair said that E.ON had been treated on an equal footing with other distribution companies, adding that that Bulgarian legislation was fully harmonized with the EU acquis.

"If the company had different expectations, this is quite another issue," Semerdzhiev declared.

On Saturday, German energy utility E.ON sold its distribution units in Northeastern Bulgaria to Czech company Energo-Pro in a deal worth EUR 133 M.

E.ON entered Bulgaria in 2007 by paying EUR 140.7 M for 67% of the state power distribution companies in Varna and Gorna Oryahovitsa.

Czech company Energo Pro, which has now bought the business, specializes in hydro power production and electricity from other renewable energy sources.

It has a branch in Bulgaria, Energo Pro Bulgaria, which operates eight hydro power plants and is the largest hydro power producer in the country.

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