site.btaHaskovo Environmental Inspectorate Reports Exceedance of Sulphur Dioxide Levels over Dimitrovgrad Linked to Maritsa 3 Power Plant Operations

An exceedance of sulphur dioxide levels in ambient air in Dimitrovgrad resulting from the operation of Maritsa 3 thermal power plant has been detected by the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water - Haskovo, the RIEW said on Monday. The on-site inspection in the city was launched after a gradual rise in sulphur dioxide levels was recorded by the Rakovski Automatic Monitoring Station.

From 7:00 a.m. on Monday, the inspectorate took preventive action regarding the plant’s operation, requesting the urgent implementation of effective measures to reduce the mass flow of sulphur dioxide. An on-site inspection at the thermal power plant at 10:00 a.m. found that the combustion installation was operating under normal conditions with a load of 50 megawatts, according to data from the electronic display in the control room. 

The RIEW reported that the registered sulphur dioxide level was 1.27 times above the legally permitted hourly average limit of 350 micrograms per cubic metre.

According to the RIEW, in addition to the activity of Maritsa 3 TPP, adverse meteorological conditions also contributed to the recorded air pollution in Dimitrovgrad, specifically fog, as well as wind direction and speed, which led to the transport and accumulation of sulphur dioxide emissions from power plants in the Maritsa Basin.

To prevent further air pollution in Dimitrovgrad, RIEW - Haskovo issued mandatory instructions for measures to reduce the mass flow of sulphur dioxide. These measures are to remain in effect until the risk of exceeding permissible values is eliminated and sustainably low sulphur dioxide levels are achieved in the city’s ambient air.

Sulphur dioxide levels above the norm were also recorded in Dimitrovgrad on January 20, when an exceedance of 1.28 times the permitted limit was measured.