The price of natural gas, hot water, central heating and electricity in Bulgaria will increase from July 1.
In the case of natural gas, prices will increase by as much as 25 per cent, following an earlier ruling from the state energy watchdog, Bulgarian media reported on July 1 2010.
The new prices will affect central heating, electricity, and hot water. The latest hike means that for 1000 cu m of gas, the price will reach 542.50 leva.
The price of natural gas will soar by 24.63 per cent, whereas hot water and central heating will increase by 18.6 per cent, and electricity by two per cent, the report said.
The 18.6 per cent hike for hot water and central heating will affect Sofia, while the north-western Bulgarian town of Vratsa will see an increase of 15.92 per cent, followed by a 15.92 per cent hike for Varna on the Black Sea and13.30 per cent for Bulgaria's second largest city, Plovdiv.
About 95 per cent of all natural gas supply in Bulgaria comes from Russia.