The market that will close coal-fired thermal power plants in Bulgaria, Minister of Environment and Water Julian Popov said in an interview with public broadcaster BNR. Popov doesn’t expect TPP to keep operating beyond 2030, arguing that the market would cause them to shut down.

-We will not close anything administratively. The market will close them, it is closing them right now – he said.

According to the minister, over 25% of electricity in Bulgaria is currently produced from renewable energy sources. Turning to the fact that not a single wind farm has come online in several years, he claimed it is about to change. The energy sector is complex and doesn’t rely on one, two or three sources of electricity.

Bulgaria’s total wind power capacity is 704 MW.

Popov added that most private companies operating coal power plants in Bulgaria are very seriously discussing leaving the sector within no more than a year.

But he also suggested they have other options for them. The energy sector is complex and doesn’t rely on one, two or three sources of electricity, but on dozens and even hundreds of technologies, the minister pointed out.

Bulgaria needs to improve the investment environment by offering clarity and predictability, according to Popov.

The Maritsa Iztok region has the potential to attract 20-30 billion euros in investments, he said.