Energy Minister: BEH grants a loan of BGN 55 million to Maritsa East Mines

Bulgarian Energy Holding will grant a long-term loan to Mini Maritsa Iztok (Maritsa East mines) in the amount of BGN 55 million, announced the Minister of Energy Temenuzhka Petkova on September 8. The parameters of the loan will be further specified, but it is now agreed that 5 million of the allocated funds will be used as staff costs.

"For the normal operation of Mini Maritza Iztok, the Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) will provide a long-term loan of BGN 50 million for the operation. BGN 5 million will also be provided for employees related to updating their salaries. We reached an agreement with the colleagues from the two trade unions and united on these two important issues, confirmed Minister Petkova.

Bulgaria will continue to rely on coal-fired power plants until 2030 with a horizon of 2050, Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova confirmed after a meeting with unions on the future of Maritza East. She pointed out that the complex produces 46% of the country's energy.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov met with President of CITUB trade union Plamen Dimitrov and representatives of the Maritza-East Mines trade unions. The talks focused on the future of the Maritza East complex, as well as the government's measures to deal with the socio-economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.