How can you change your electricity provider?

The ability to switch suppliers provides customers with a choice between different electricity traders and incentivizes electricity suppliers to offer more advantageous terms. Before taking this step, every user should be well informed. The change of electricity supplier is regulated in EWRC Electricity Trading Rules.

Here are the main stages of the change:

1. Check if you are in a free or regulated market

All legal entities are obliged to be on the free market from October 1, 2020. If you are choosing an electricity supplier on the open market for the first time, it means that until now your supply is carried out by an administratively appointed supplier at regulated prices. The prices that business consumers pay for electricity on the regulated market are significantly higher than those they can get from a supplier on the free market. If you already have a contract with a free supplier, you can change it at the expiration of the contract or under the conditions mentioned in it.

2. Compare offers from different providers

Study the free electricity market. Look for offers from licensed dealers (they are published on the website of the CEFR). In it, for convenience, a platform for comparing offers has also been created - https://platforma.dker.bg/. In it you can compare the cost of electricity, conditions and penalties. You can also use an intermediary who will provide you with offers, price comparison and conditions at the same time.

3. Selecting a new supplier and signing a contract

After choosing a dealer, sign a contract for the supply of electricity. The new provider arranges the switch with the network operator in the respective territory. If necessary, a contract with a balancing group coordinator is also signed. In most cases, the new supplier is also a coordinator, but if it is not, you must have a contract with a balancing group coordinator who submits an hourly forecast of your consumption. The exchange is registered on the ESO/IBRD platform (market operators). It usually takes effect from the 1st of the next month if the application is submitted by the 10th of the current month.

Important to know:

• The shift does not cut off the power supply, since no physical actions are performed on the network.
• You do not owe fees for the shift itself, unless there are penalties under the old contract. It is required that the customer has arranged his financial relationship with the current supplier.
• You can only change the provider of the “electricity supply” service. It is not possible to change the provider of the “network access and distribution” service. This means that you will pay for the electricity consumed to the new supplier, but you will continue to pay fees for using the electricity distribution company's network.
• The electricity supplier has no relation to the quality of supply. The choice of a new supplier does not in any way alter the obligations of the electricity distribution undertaking.
• It should be clarified that if the customer is not satisfied with the new supplier chosen by him, he has the right to initiate his replacement with another supplier (so-called subsequent change of supplier). There are no restrictions on the number of shifts of the electricity supplier.
• In the absence of an active contract, you can temporarily be transferred to a “provider of last resort”, which is significantly more expensive and not recommended.