site.btaSofia Heat Plant to Halve Harmful Emissions by Using Refuse-Derived Fuel

Sofia Heat Plant to Halve Harmful Emissions by Using Refuse-Derived Fuel

Sofia, March 30 (BTA) - The introduction of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from Sofia's waste treatment plant in the production cycle of the Sofia heat plant will halve the heat plant's harmfull emissions. This transpired Wednesday when the Sofia waste plant presented the results from its first six months of operation.

The event was attended by Environment Minister Ivelina Vassileva and Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova.

The mayor said that the project for use of RDF by the heat plant will apply for EU funding and the application form is being now prepared.

The Environment Minister said that the Ministry is ready to consider the project proposal as a matter of priority and make a fast decision. She said that the project has already been through an environment impact assessment and a positive conclusion has been issued.

Vassileva explained that the use of RDF will reduce by 10 per cent the fuel that the heat plant currently uses and the heat that it will generate will reach some 30,000 residents of Sofia.

The indicative value of the project is 135 million euro and it has already been supported by the European Commission.

The new Operational Programme Environment has 53 million leva available for new installations which will result to larger amounts of treated, re-used, reclaimed and recycled waste, the Minister added.