Electricity

Bulgaria plans to burn coal until 2050 – energy minister

bulgaria-petkova-minister-coal-2050

Photo: Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova (Ministry of Energy))

Published

August 13, 2020

Country

Comments

comments icon

0

Share

Published:

August 13, 2020

Country:

Comments:

comments icon

0

Share

Bulgaria plans to continue to use coal for the generation of electricity until 2050 due to coal-fired power plants’ strategic value for both energy and national security, Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova said in a written answer to a Bulgarian MP on the fate of the coal complex and energy transition commitments towards the EU.

According to Petkova, Bulgaria uses the local coal resources, which are sufficient for the production of electricity over the next 60 years, in line with environmental requirements.

She said that the share of electricity produced in coal-fired power plants is 46%, and during the winter months nearly 60%.

Bulgaria’s stance on coal is incorporated in the NECP

Bulgaria’s stance on coal is incorporated in the national energy and climate plan (NECP) which covers the period 2021-2030, with projections until 2050, she added, local media reported.

At the beginning of June, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe published a report on the final NECPs which finds that Bulgaria is one of seven EU states that plan to burn coal beyond 2030.

Petkova also said that the country’s intention to burn coal until 2050 is also a part of a draft strategy for the sustainable energy development of Bulgaria until 2030, with a projection until 2050.

Coal-fired power plants will be a part of a capacity mechanism

The Clean Energy for All Europeans package sets a new framework for the organization of the electricity market until 2030, which includes a transition period during which the role of coal-fired power plants will be essential for ensuring the security of supply, Petkova said.

These power plants will be a part of a capacity mechanism that will allow them to receive payments to be available on the market when a shortage occurs.

She recalled that in January the Bulgarian parliament adopted a decision which obliges the government to take all necessary measures to prevent closures of coal-fired power plants of the BEH group.

Comments (0)

Be the first one to comment on this article.

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

HELLENiQ Energy buys ABO Energy Hellas 1 5 GW renewables

HELLENiQ Energy buys ABO Energy Hellas, adding 1.5 GW in renewables projects

02 July 2025 - Amid a consolidation in the renewables sector in Greece, HELLENiQ Energysaid it completed the acquisition of ABO Energy Hellas

EU outlines measures for 90 emissions cut by 2040

EU outlines measures for 90% emissions cut by 2040

02 July 2025 - A proposed amendment to the European Climate Law sets a 2040 target of a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions

Solaris Holding large hybrid renewable energy park Bulgaria

Solaris Holding launches production at large hybrid renewable energy park in Bulgaria

02 July 2025 - The new Selanovtsi solar farm of 59.8 MW in peak capacity near Vratsa was installed alongside a battery energy storage system of 107.3 MWh in capacity

marta kos growth plan western balkans skopje

Clean energy, grid upgrade projects in Western Balkans to be backed under EU’s Growth Plan

02 July 2025 - The European Commission has proposed the first support package, worth EUR 87.7 million, under the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.