site.bta Maritsa Iztok Mines and TPP Maritsa Iztok 2 to Continue Operating until 2038, Radev Says

Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on Friday that Maritsa Iztok Mines and TPP Maritsa Iztok 2 would continue operating until 2038 after the European Commission accepted Bulgaria's proposed energy sector reforms, which he said would protect workers in the sector and ensure a smooth process of reclamation and transition. 

“We also managed to agree on the reform of the water sector in a way that protects the interests of Bulgarian municipalities,” he added.

Radev said Bulgaria could absorb a large share of the funds available under the Recovery and Resilience Plan if intensive work continued through the end of August.

“That means no holiday for the Council of Ministers,” he added.

The Prime Minister also said the European Commission would give the green light to the environmental assessment of the Yadenitsa Dam project after years of delays. According to him, this would pave the way for construction with 50%, and possibly greater, European participation and increase the project's energy capacity.

Radev also referred to the Just Transition Mechanism, under which funding could be secured for Bulgaria's three coal regions. He said the European Commission was ready to release the funds if Bulgaria accelerated its efforts.

As part of these efforts, Radev said he would invite the mayors of Stara Zagora, Pernik and Kyustendil to the next government meeting to explore new industrial zones, innovative projects and job opportunities. 

Radev also said he had agreed with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that Bulgaria, Greece and Romania would submit joint projects on cross-border cooperation and infrastructure connectivity.

He added that Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was expected to visit Bulgaria next week for talks on the issue, while discussions would also continue once Romania forms a new government.