Bulgaria presented its revised Resilience and Recovery Plan, which does not specify deadline for the closure of coal-fired power plants, but limits their generation. It also envisages the construction of gas-fired power plants, but only as private investments.
The main changes are related to investments in gas-fired thermal power plants amounted to 500 million euros, which were removed from the Plan. Instead, Bulgaria will invest in energy storage projects, as well as geothermal energy projects.
According to electricity transmission system operator ESO, applications for almost 14 GW in new renewable capacity have been received and the main goal is to find a way for their efficient balancing. Thus, the Plan envisages funds for the modernization of the transmission network so it could absorb at least 4.5 GW of new RES capacity.
Energy Minister Alexander Nikolov said that this is the first step towards Bulgaria’s new Energy Strategy which will be presented at the end of March.
The main goal will be to reduce losses in the transmission network, as well as increasing electricity generation to the level to cover the demand throughout the region, and not only in Bulgaria. This is being worked on in coordination with neighboring countries.
The most ambitious project is the construction of 6,000 MW in battery storage. Which should be installed at substations operated by ESO so that the system can be directly balanced at this level. The project should enable Bulgaria to become the first market to fully balance its renewable energy generation.
Bulgaria will remain committed to the goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 40 %, which means that the operation of coal-fired power plants will be limited, especially in April, May and in the summer months. TPP Maritsa East 2 and coalmines will remain crucial for the supply during winter season and balancing, however, facilities that do not meet environmental standards will have to be closed.
