site.btaGreenpeace-Bulgaria Activists Meet Energy Minister over Coal Dust Pollution in Galabovo

Eco-activists from Greenpeace – Bulgaria Thursday took a jar with coal dust from Galabovo to the Energy Ministry to protest the pollution of the town and the wider area by the Brikel Thermal Power Plant (TPP). They met with Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov to raise the issue of the pollution that has been plaguing the area. 

Greenpeace – Bulgaria campaign coordinator for Climate and Energy, Desislava Mikova, said that Brikel TPP has been violating environmental standards for years. “People in the area are constantly exposed to coal dust, this cannot continue in the 21st century," she added.

During the meeting, the activists also brought printed images from the digital storytelling platform Fear and Coal Dust, which documents life in Galabovo.

After the meeting, Mikova said that Stankov plans to visit Galabovo. He acknowledged the challenge of finding alternative heating solutions and agreed to begin addressing the issue, Mikova added. In her words, Stankov talks about the development of renewable energy sources and less about the coal power industry at the moment, which she sees as a sign that more work is needed to move away from coal dependency. 

“Despite our long-standing efforts, the regulatory institutions remain powerless to stop the pollution,” Mikova said. She stressed that the town still depends on Brikel TPP for heating, and Bulgaria remains reliant on coal, which affects everyone.

Mikova also referred to an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Fund (ACF), which revealed unregulated financial incentives for state officials, loans to politicians, tax and social security fraud, and emissions quota manipulation, involving the energy holding Orion, managed by businessman Hristo Kovachki. The investigation suggests that Kovachki also controls Brikel TPP.

On Wednesday, Parliament voted down a proposal to establish an ad hoc committee to look into allegations for a shady energy business empire owned by Kovachki.

On February 27, 2023, the European Public Prosecutor's Office announced an investigation in Bulgaria related to suspected emissions trading fraud. Former Deputy Environment Minister Reneta Koleva stated on March 1, 2023, that Brikel TPP had violated its environmental permit and released pollutants affecting air quality.