Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria will not be forced to shut down coal power plants during winter, says Energy Minister

Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov
Photo: BTA

Bulgaria will not be forced to shut down its coal-fired power stations or coal-powered district heating systems during the winter. Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov made this statement ahead of the opening of the RE-Source Southeast 2025 forum, held at Sofia Tech Park, as reported by BTA.

The minister announced that Bulgaria had proposed a package deal to the European Commission which includes the option to postpone the liberalisation of the market for household consumers indefinitely. The deal also proposes that Bulgaria's coal-fired power stations will be permitted to continue operating without restrictions or shutdowns.


The minister recalled Bulgaria's commitment to reduce emissions by 40% in the energy sector alone, expressing reservations as to why this commitment had been made in the first place. It has been renegotiated that this percentage will not apply within a single calendar year, as it would be impossible to achieve in a colder winter. Instead, emissions will be reported based on average values over a three-year period.




Editor: Miglena Ivanova
Posted and translated by E. Radkova



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

President Radev, Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcome Gaza ceasefire agreement

The most important task is to find a solution to the war in Europe through diplomacy and to establish lasting peace, said President Rumen Radev in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, where he took part in a meeting of the Arraiolos Group.  President..

published on 10/10/25 11:19 AM

The number of Bulgarians receiving pensions from abroad is increasing

By the end of 2024, nearly 80,000 individuals were receiving pensions and supplements under EU regulations and international agreements, according to the National Social Security Institute. These are Bulgarians who have worked in EU countries and..

published on 10/10/25 9:13 AM
Natalia Efremova, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy, at a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Policies for Bulgarians Abroad on 9 October 2025.

Unprecedented response to the I Choose Bulgaria initiative among Bulgarians overseas

Bulgarians living abroad have shown unprecedented interest in the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy’s “I Choose Bulgaria” programme, deputy Minister for Social Affairs Natalia Efremova told the Committee on Policies for Bulgarians Abroad in Parliament...

published on 10/9/25 7:04 PM