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

Maritsa-Iztok 3 coal-fired power plant reopens after being closed over air pollution

The Maritsa-Iztok 3 TPP
Photo: BGNES

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

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. 



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

The AFET adopted a draft report on Skopje's progress and rejected the amendments proposed by Bulgaria

The European Parliament’s draft report on the Republic of North Macedonia’s progress toward EU membership was adopted by the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) with 40 votes in favour, 19 against and 10 abstentions, according to a report by BTA...

published on 6/24/25 3:10 PM
Atanas Zapryanov

Defence Ministry proposes wartime HQs for state authorities

Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov has proposed the establishment of wartime command centres for state institutions . A draft decree from the Council of Ministers on this matter has been published for public consultation. The initiative aims to ensure..

published on 6/24/25 2:51 PM
The Justice Minister, Georgi Georgiev, announced plans to update state fees for Bulgarian citizenship.

Fees for Bulgarian citizenship are set to increase sharply

The Ministry of Justice has proposed an amendment to Tariff No. 1 of the State Fees Act, outlining the fees charged by courts, the prosecution service, investigative services, and the Ministry of Justice. According to the government press service, the..

published on 6/24/25 2:04 PM