PM: Recovery Plan obliges Bulgaria to reduce carbon emissions by 10% this year, we will ask for renegotiation

The parameters set in the current Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) are not good for Bulgaria. The previous government committed in the RRP to a 40% reduction in carbon emissions, which means, without being written into the Plan, closing specific coal-fired power plants. These are the Maritsa Iztok 2, 3 and other power plants, which, if closed, will cause damage to the Bulgarian economy and the security of the energy system in Bulgaria and in the region, caretaker Prime Minister, Galab Donev, told journalists on January 5.

Donev said that they are in constant contact with the different services of the EC and if the EC accepts, they have the opportunity to renegotiate what is set in the Plan. It now obliges Bulgaria to reduce carbon emissions by 10% this year, which is not acceptable for us, Donev said. The caretaker government will insist that this commitment be reviewed and postponed.

Donev said that they will also submit an electricity energy strategy to show the development of this sector in the country in perspective. It is envisaged that new nuclear capacities will be built. All possible sources - both green energy, renewable energy sources - will be envisaged.

He also commented on the case of journalist Hristo Grozev, saying that the Bulgarian government and services had been in contact with him even before the issue became "popular in the media". The Bulgarian security services, together with partner services, created conditions for Grozev to return to Vienna, where he lives, unhindered. His security is guaranteed. Constant contact is maintained with him, the caretaker Prime Minister said.