Energy Minister: Action So Far Aimed at Preserving Coal Plants for Sake of Bulgaria's Electricity Security

Yoanna Vodenova

Energy Minister Rumen Radev speaking in Parliament, Oct. 12, 2023 (BTA Photo)

Sofia,

12.10.2023 11:04

(BTA)

The actions of the Council of Ministers and the Energy Ministry in particular have been so far aimed at preserving coal power plants for the sake of preserving Bulgaria's energy security, Energy Minister Rumen Radev said in Parliament on Thursday during the no-confidence motion debate against the cabinet of Nikolay Denkov over energy sector policy. Here is a takeaway from his remarks:

This debate is an opportunity to talk about the challenges in the sector and the work of the team of the Energy Ministry on a number of backlogged tasks.

Negotiations on the renegotiation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan in the Energy Sector started in the first days of this cabinet and are ongoing. We have not neglected the decision of the National Assembly guaranteeing the preservation of the Maritsa East Mine sites.

The issue of jobs is one that we have taken to heart, which is why we will not get tired of repeating that the territorial just transition plans are the only instrument of solidarity that allows us to start solving the social problem - that of creating new jobs.

The deadline for submitting the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan to the European Commission was June 30, 2023 and they have agreed on its extension. We committed to share the first estimates and proposals for the update with the EC by the end of November, he added. Pending the full vision of the updated integrated plan, its contents will be discussed with all stakeholders, including social partners. The final proposal for the updated plan will be presented in 2024 after public support and consensus are obtained.

/PP/