January 10 (SeeNews) - Romanian power grid operator Transelectrica [BSE:TEL] turned down a request by Bulgaria's Electricity System Operator (ESO) for emergency electricity supplies to help it meet record-high consumption amid a spell of ice-cold weather, ESO said on Tuesday.
Providing emergency electricity aid is not obligatory and depends on the respective operator's reserves and capacities, ESO noted in a statement.
The Bulgarian electricity system operator added that it continues to cover the needs of the domestic market despite Transelectrica's decision.
Bulgaria has been in the grip of freezing weather since last week with an average daily temperature of minus 12 forecast for Tuesday. The extremely low temperatures led to a surge in electricity consumption, which the power system load exceeding 7,600 MW in the peak hours on Monday.
ESO expects the power system load to reach 7,729 MW by 7 p.m. on Tuesday.