The government has approved the 2026 budget of the Electricity System Security Fund. Revenue is €1.261bn and spending is €1.488bn, the government press office said.

Energy minister Iva Petrova said earlier on the day of the approval that the Fund's budget is balanced, has no deficits and the situation is under control. She said the Fund is meeting its obligations in the order set by law and by the current electricity price compensation schemes, and that revenue collection is also on track.

The biggest source of income is the sale of greenhouse gas emission allowances, at €666m. Payments under Article 36e of the Energy Act bring in €202.731m, and payments under Article 36d, paragraph 1, points 8, 8a and 11 of the same law bring in €392.477m.

Most of the spending, €846.488m, goes to National Electricity Company (NEK) and to payments under contracts for compensation with premiums. Another €401.041m is set aside for compensation to end suppliers, including for household customers, and for buying electricity at preferential prices. Compensation under schemes adopted by the government comes to €233.157m.

The Fund's running costs are set at €2.027m, and interest on loans for energy efficiency projects at €5.113m.

The press office said the approved budget provides the money for the Fund's duties under the law and for keeping the energy sector financially stable. The energy ministry's budget will transfer €36.426m to the Fund under Bulgaria's 2026 State Budget Act.

The Fund had €251.710m at the start of the period. It is forecast to have €61.619m at the end of 2026.