The inactive TPP "ConturGlobal Maritsa Iztok 3" will operate with two of its units from January 1, 2025. This was reported to bTV acting energy minister Vladimir Malinov, stressing that the decision to return the plant to the market is purely commercial. For this to happen, between 140 and 150 people will be brought back to work, and the talks with them have already started.
At the beginning of this year, Maritsa Iztok 3 TPP's long-term contract with the state for the purchase of energy expired. This necessitated the exit to the free electricity market. However, there the price was rarely high enough for the plant to generate a profit. At that time, according to the director Vasil Shtonov, 450 people were working at the TPP. Almost all were let go in several waves of layoffs.
“Coal-fired power is being switched back on to cover additional power generation needs in the winter months. I expect the electricity prices after January to be high enough for the plant to be billed. In the summer, at the peak moments of consumption, the prices were not high enough to make it worthwhile for the TPP to fire up its units," Minister Malinov explained.
The caretaker minister reiterated that as a long-term solution, from July 1, 2025, the state wants to increase its stake in the coal plant. According to Malinov, this will happen either through the National Electric Company (NEK), which now owns a 27% share in the capital, or through another state energy company.
Malinov, however, did not give a concrete answer to the question of what the future will be for those working in the "Maritsa East" complex, but only notes that new projects are coming up and that
"human potential is the greatest asset that Bulgaria has and all those employed in the Mariska basin and in the power generation must be preserved".
According to him, there are plans for new investments in the complex, but they are based on the Recovery and Sustainability Plan, which is currently at a dead end. Malinov sees the Modernization Fund as a second option, explaining that the relevant department has held a public discussion of several projects under it, which he plans to submit for approval by the Council of Ministers next week.
"We are talking about a serious resource that will re-launch and give an additional boost to Bulgarian energy, not only the state, but also the private sector. Over 550 million euros from the MoF will be provided free of charge for energy projects," said Malinov.
Bulgaria has the opportunity to fully cover the consumption of natural gas
The Acting Minister of Energy also commented on the price of natural gas for December in the amount of BGN 75,89 approved by the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation. per megawatt hour
"The tendency is always during the heating season for natural gas prices to rise. According to the regulatory framework, the regulator approved an increase in the prices at which Bulgargaz will sell natural gas to its regulated customers for the month of December. Because the world markets and the world trends that we follow are going up. The good news is that Bulgaria is provided with natural gas. The warehouse was 100% full at the beginning of November. As of today, it is at 92%, which means we have 500 million cubic meters. The price in Bulgaria will be at least BGN 11 cheaper than all average European prices for December," said Malinov.
He assured that our country has the opportunity to fully cover the consumption of natural gas.
“Yes, prices can go up. We monitor all processes. As you know, in the caretaker government we took measures to compensate for the high prices of natural gas that was stored in Chiren. If there is such a need, we will analyze the market and react adequately," Malinov guarantees.
They cancel the water regime in Pleven and Lovech
The water regime in Pleven and Lovech is cancelled. This became clear in Pleven, where the Acting Minister of the Environment and Waters, Petar Dimitrov, met with the management of the municipality, BNR reported. The amount of rain that has fallen and the accumulated snow in Stara Planina is sufficient for the water supply at the moment. The eco-minister was adamant that in order to solve the water problem in Pleven in the long term, the water transmission network must be repaired.
"The driest period in the high mountain regions is the month of February, when everything freezes, and although it has now snowed - about 20 centimeters, and eased the situation of the people of Pleven, feeding the reserve water supply groups can only ease the regime, but not solve it. The repair of the water transmission system is absolutely imperative", said Minister Dimitrov.
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