Mr. Delian Dobrev, the successor of Minister Traicho Traikov, quickly undertook a series of personnel changes in the ministry as well as in several key companies under its authority. Whether the staff changed have been a result of his own decision or have been imposed from an even higher position is a question that so far has no definite answer. One thing is certain – more forthcoming reshuffles may be expected especially for places occupied by people considered close to former energy minister Traicho Traikov. The professional skills of the newly appointed officials have already been a cause for smiles among experts in the industry.
Indicative is the story with the Executive Director of the Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) Yordan Georgiev. In the briefly described motives for his dismissal the minister has enlisted the need for a manager who knows in detail the development of energy sector in Bulgaria. Indeed, Georgiev had worked mainly in Austria, but he came to the position as a top manager of one of the leading strategic consulting companies Roland Berger plus experience in leading projects in the sectors of energy and telecommunications for the largest companies in Central and Eastern Europe. So not much going to be accused of incompetence. His great sin was that he was personally appointed by ex-minister Traikov.
Former Executive Director of the National Electricity Company, Michail Andonov, replaced him. He has been 17 years in the energy sector, but his managerial experience actually dates back only to mid-2011. It was then that he took over the management of NEC after the dismissal of Mr. Krassimir Parvanov who had signed a controversial annex for Belene NPP. Andonov became the manager of the state company after a competition procedure, but it never became clear what the criteria for selection of other participants were.
Indirect doubts about the managerial qualities of Mr. Michail Andonov was contained in a recent speech of Minister Delian Dobrev, saying that BEH must have two additional managers, responsible in particular for South Stream and Nabucco projects.
As for the vacant managerial post at NEC, the rumors are that initially an interim director will be appointed and later the ministry will organize a competition. The ledged successor of Mr. Andonov is the company’s chief engineer Kamen Todorov.
Another major change in the energy sector is the dismissal of the chairwoman of board of directors of Kozloduy NPP Milena Tsenova, who until recently was head of the political cabinet of Traicho Traykov. According to information coming from the Ministry of Economy and Energy the position will be held now by young ecologist Marina Armutlieva.
Rumours say the Director of Public Relations and Protocol department at the Ministry, Dimitrina Hristeva, will also have to leave. A week ago vice minister Dimitar Chohadzhiev was also asked to leave and he explained that he had been informed of the decision from the press announcement of the Council of Ministers.
The head of the board of NPP Kozloduy will be Valentin Nikolov who was recently appointed Deputy Minister of Economy. Mr. Nikolov, a former MP, will replace Delian Dobrev also as a Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bulgarian Energy Holding and the National Electricity Company. Thus, in practice Mr. Nikolov receives the exclusive power to manage the entire energy sector of the country. The engineer born in the small town of Gabrovo has yet to prove his qualities for the position.
Industry experts are expecting the attention of the newly appointed Minister Dorberv to shift now to the CEO of Maritsa-East mines Evgeni Stoykov. According to representatives of the unions, the poor management of the entrusted enterprise led to the escalation of tension in Bulgaria’s biggest coal company. Earlier this year there was even a strike that threatened the national energy security. Back then it was Mr. Dobrev, who in his capacity of deputy energy minister, managed to temporarily calm down the protests. According to insiders, the management of Maritsa East is not fulfilling its commitments signed to stop the protests, according to which it had to take on extra staff at keuy positions and thus reduce the chances for accidents and emergencies .
It is interesting to sea whether the changes will prove successful and timely in view of the new situation around Belene NPP, the talks about the price of natural gas coming from Russia and the South Stream and Nabucco projects.
