site.btaAuthorities Find Environmental Violations at Bobov Dol Power Plant

The Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water in Sofia has identified violations of the integrated permit by the Bobov Dol coal-fired power plant, following surprise inspections carried out on April 15 and 16, the authority said Friday.

Earlier this month, the Inspectorate launched a separate penalty procedure against the same plant over air pollution, again following an unannounced inspection. 

This time the checks were conducted both in and outside the plant’s production site, with inspectors surveying multiple points in the surrounding area to monitor for point and diffuse emissions. They found diffuse emissions originating from the boiler house building, gas ducts, and other parts of the facility, as well as controlled emissions from designated discharge points.

According to the inspectors, part of the waste gases generated during the operation of the plant’s energy boilers did not pass fully through the required technological pathway and treatment installations, including the desulfurization system. Instead, some emissions were released directly into the air through damaged sections of gas ducts - constituting a breach of the plant’s integrated environmental permit.

An administrative penalty procedure has been initiated, and a formal sanction is expected to be issued within the legal timeframe.

The Sofia Environment Inspectorate said it will maintain heightened oversight of the plant’s operations to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and prevent further air pollution in the area.