Maritsa-Iztok 3 coal-fired power plant in Dimitrovgrad has been functioning since last night, BNR’s correspondent Dora Atanassova reports.

• Maritza Iztok-3 TPP, closed due to systemic pollution, will not resume work, Environment Minister says
  

The thermal power plant was closed down at the end of April over air pollution, which triggered protests by the TPPs staff. Two days ago the court annulled the suspension of its operation but yesterday Minister of Environment and Water Borislav Sandov updated Maritsa-Iztok 3’s integrated permit, enhancing the requirements in accordance with European legislation. Minister Sandov pointed out that the operator has only partially fulfilled the requirements. For Maritsa-Iztok 3 to be made operational it has to meet the requirements set down. Activists from the movement “Breathe Dimitrovgrad!” got together last night in front of the TPP building when they saw it was operational. “We are not against the TPP working but it must work according to the rules,” they said.

“The power plant has been made operational in accordance with the court decision,” said Maritsa 3’s chief legal officer Julian Semerdjiev.