In the first six months of 2009, the export of electricity carried out by the companies of the Bulgarian Energy Holding totalled 1.55 million megawatt-hours, the holding's press office said on Friday.

This involved a year-on-year decline of 28.4 per cent. Revenues from electricity exports in the first half of 2009 stood at 134.2 million leva, compared to 240.4 million leva in the like period of 2008. This involves a 44.2 per cent decline of export revenues.

The Bulgarian Energy Holding was set up on September 18, 2008. With its assets of 10,500 million leva and employees totalling 22,000, it is one of the largest energy companies in the region.

The fully state-owned holding company brings together companies operating in the fields of coal-mining, generation and delivery of and trade in electricity, and transit, transportation and storage of and trade in natural gas.

The companies forming the Bulgarian Energy Holding have operational independence and licences. The rights of sole owner of the capital of the company are exercised by the Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister.

The funds which the companies in the group submitted to the national budget for 2008 exceeded 250 million leva.

Source: BTA