EXPERTS FROM THREE BULGARIAN MINISTRIES DEFEND COUNTRY’S COAL PLANTS IN BRUSSELS

Changes are envisaged to the Best Available Techniques Reference Document for Large Combustion Plants, the ministry said. The document is due to be voted at the end of April by a special commission of EU member states which is expected to approve higher curbs on sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions and introduce limits on mercury emissions from combustion plants with thermal input of over 50 megawatts.

The special commission is set up under the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive. The changes will affect the entire energy sector in the country, the mining sector and the related industries. From an electricity exporter, Bulgaria is at risk of becoming an importer, from neighbouring countries that are not members of the EU and have no obligation to meet the new environmental standards, the press release says.

Approximately 12,000 people are directly employed in coal mining and power generation, and with those working in related activities, the figure of employed adds up to 150,000 people. Potential discontinuation of the operation of the thermal power plants will lead to the direct loss of thousands of jobs, the need for additional social costs for the country, and losses to the budget from direct and indirect tax .

According to estimates by the Ministry of Energy, these losses amount to more than BGN 612 million each year for coal mining and the nine largest electricity companies that use lignites from the East Maritsa basin, the announcement said. In order to invest according to the new requirements, the laregst coal-fired power plant in Bulgaria Maritsa East 2 TPP will have to raise the electricity price by 27%, the mininstry estimates show.

Bulgaria insists on changes in the set emission levels of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury, or for individual values that apply to our country.

Experts from the three relevant EC directorates will send further questions, which Bulgaria needs to answer. In the recent months, numerous discussions have been organised in various formats to consolidate and present a unified national stance on the future changes. The stance has been presented to the EC President Jean-Claude Juncker and Climate and Commissioners on Miguel Arias Cañete and Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella, the mnistery added.

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