Court Upholds €286,323 Fine Against Bobov Dol Thermal Power Plant for Environmental Violations

The Kyustendil Administrative Court has upheld two penalty orders issued by the director of the Sofia Regional Inspectorate for Environment and Water (RIEW) against Bobov Dol Thermal Power Plant AD. The company has been fined a total of €286,323 under the orders.

The violations relate to a failure to take the necessary measures to limit fugitive emissions into the atmosphere and to emissions resulting from the plant's operations. According to the RIEW, this constitutes a breach of the conditions set out in the operator's integrated permit.

The court rulings provide further confirmation that compliance with environmental requirements is an obligation, not a matter of choice. Oversight of industrial polluters continues, and violations result in the penalties prescribed by law.

Between 2020 and 2026 inclusive, the Sofia RIEW carried out a total of 339 inspections of Bobov Dol Thermal Power Plant AD. As a result of these inspections, 132 administrative violation reports were drawn up. Over the same period, the director of the Sofia RIEW issued a total of 119 penalty orders, imposing fines on the company amounting to €6,699,818.05. To date, the courts have upheld 73 of the penalty orders issued against the company, involving fines of more than €2 million.

The ongoing inspections, penalties and court rulings highlight the crucial importance of enforcement in ensuring compliance with environmental legislation. The Sofia RIEW will continue to monitor the operations of Bobov Dol Thermal Power Plant AD to ensure compliance with environmental law and the timely detection and sanctioning of violations.