Electricity supply in the transition economies of Bulgaria and Romania

Bulgaria and Romania started the macroeconomic transition from a command economy to a market economy in 1989, and this involves redefining policy and practice in the electricity sector. The physical supply-side infrastructure has changed little, due to lack of finance, but operation has changed significantly. The need for structural reforms has become clearer, but the process has proved more difficult than expected. This article highlights some of the main issues facing the electricity industry in this transition.