Tenders for 25-year management concession of the water supply systems in two regions in Northern Bulgaria are to be opened, Dnevnik Daily reported, quoting the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works. The winners will be selected by May. The contracts to be signed will prohibit the further rise in water prices. Such a rise is likely only if electricity prices and concessionaires’ expenditures increase sharply. The candidates for the concession will be required to invest a total of USD 108 M in the regions of Varna and Shumen. They will have to submit a schedule for price increases as well. The population of the two regions totals 670,000 and the water price stands at BGN 0,50 per cubic metre on average. The concessions are expected to help attract investments and cut losses from pipe leaks to 25% of the supplied volumes. Five potential foreign bidders have submitted documents so far – France’s Aquamundo Lyonnaise des Eaux and Generale des Eaux, the consortium Pascal-Glavbolgarstroy that includes UK’s Bie Water, International Water and Thames Water.

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