January 11 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria will cut electricity exports due to harsh winter weather conditions, the energy ministry announced on Wednesday.
The restriction will take effect as of 1 a.m. local time on January 13 and will last until the necessary reserves are restored to ensure safe and reliable operation of the country’s energy system, the ministry said in a statement.
The measure does not affect transit of electricity via Bulgaria, the ministry added.
A cold spell has gripped most of the region of Southeastern Europe since last weekend, creating imbalance between electricity production and consumption at the regional level. As a result, Greece’s electricity system operator announced termination of commercial exports to neighbouring countries as of 1 a.m. local time on Wednesday, the Bulgarian energy ministry recalled.
To ensure compliance with the restriction on exports and the security of Bulgaria’s power system, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) will suspend access to the grid of exporters of electricity generated in Bulgaria.
On Sunday, Romanian power grid operator Transelectrica [BSE:TEL] turned down ESO's request for emergency electricity supplies to help it meet record-high consumption, ESO said on Tuesday.
Average temperatures as low as minus 15 degrees Celsius led to a surge in electricity consumption, with the Bulgarian power system load exceeding 7,600 MW in peak hours on Monday.