Wedoany.com Report-Feb 27, The National Assembly of Bulgaria will convene to hear Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov address recent media reports concerning the ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3 Thermal Power Plant. Located in Mednikarovo, Galabovo, Stara Zagora, this coal-fired facility has been a significant part of Bulgaria’s energy landscape, with a capacity of 908 megawatts. The reports suggest that the plant’s operations may cease by March 31, 2025, potentially leading to layoffs for its workforce.

Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov

The session follows updates on the plant’s status, which saw units 3 and 4 resume operations on January 1, 2025, after a pause in February 2024 due to the expiration of a long-term contract with the National Electricity Company (NEK). This restart, scheduled to last until the end of March, was prompted by Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov’s directive to ensure energy stability during winter months. ContourGlobal, holding a 73% stake, and NEK, with 27%, agreed to this temporary measure to support Bulgaria’s electricity grid.

Media coverage has highlighted concerns over the plant’s future beyond March 31, 2025. Earlier, ContourGlobal reduced its staff significantly, retaining only 35 employees by July 2024 for maintenance and renewable energy projects after laying off nearly all workers due to high operational costs. The company has since rehired 150 people to manage the current operations. Discussions between ContourGlobal and the government, ongoing since November 2024, aim to define a long-term plan, with proposals to increase state involvement through NEK or another Bulgarian Energy Holding entity starting July 1, 2025.

During the National Assembly meeting, Minister Stankov is expected to clarify the government’s stance on these developments. The plant’s potential closure raises questions about energy security and employment in the Stara Zagora region, where it has historically contributed over 10% of Bulgaria’s electricity. ContourGlobal has also been exploring a shift to renewable energy, with plans for an 83-megawatt photovoltaic plant and a 25-megawatt battery storage system at the site, alongside studies for an additional 120 megawatts of solar capacity.

The hearing will provide a platform for lawmakers to assess the balance between maintaining energy supply and transitioning to sustainable alternatives. Stankov’s comments will likely focus on the technical condition of units 3 and 4, deemed operational by Malinov, and the roadmap for the plant’s future. This comes amid Bulgaria’s broader energy strategy, which includes reducing reliance on coal while ensuring stability, a topic of ongoing dialogue with stakeholders like ContourGlobal, owned by KKR, and the state-owned NEK. The outcome of this session may shape decisions affecting both the facility’s workforce and the nation’s energy framework beyond the March 31 deadline.