Bulgaria's Commission for Energy and Water Regulation

* Competition watchdog says EVN, CEZ breached competition rules

* Companies deny wrongdoing, plan to appeal

* Energy regulator slaps another $3.6 mln fine on EVN (Adds another combined fine of BGN 6 mln  imposed on EVN)

Representatives of the business sector will take part in the work of the company boards of all state-owned energy firms, according to a decision adopted at a meeting between Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova, Delyan Dobrev, Chair of the parliamentary energy committee, and employers' associations.

Bulgaria's Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR) has approved the power purchase agreement between US-owned thermal power plant ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3 TPP and the National Electric Company (NEK).

Ivan Ivanov, Chair of Bulgaria's Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR), has attributed calls for his resignation by employers' associations to attempts to protect corporate interests.

Employers' associations demanded the resignation of Ivanov after he announced KEVR's decision to introduce a significant power price hike for industrial consumers as of August 1.

Vasl Velev, Chair of the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA), has argued that electricity tariffs should remain unchanged in the next pricing period.

In a Thursday interview for TV7, Velev claimed that there was no obstacle, be it of legal or economic nature, for Bulgaria's Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR) to keep electricity prices unchanged.

The price of natural gas drops by BGN 40, from BGN 524 to BGN 484 per 1000 cubic meters of gas, from July 1, according to a decision of Bulgaria's Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR).

Bulgaria's Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR) has postponed by Tuesday a decision on the postponement of the entry into force of new electricity tariffs by 1 month.

Ivan Ivanov, Chair of Bulgaria's Commission for Energy and Water Regulation, has underscored that EU law entitles large industrial enterprises to discounts on the "obligation to society" surcharge included in electricity prices.

Bulgaria's Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR) will discuss Wednesday a proposal for an increase in electricity prices for household consumers by an average of 2% as of July.

It is unrealistic to suggest that electricity prices will increase by 30-40% after the launch of the power exchange, according to Ivan Ivanov, Chair of Bulgaria's Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR).