Could Bulgaria end up with a blackout regime if coal plants are shut down? This question has become particularly topical in view of the imminent closure of Maritsa East Mines.
Speaking to Iskra.bg , Anton Ivanov of the Bulgarian Energy and Mining Forumdid not rule out such a possibility. He was adamant that if the coal-fired power plants cease their operations, there will be a shortage of electricity in Bulgaria.
Even now our country already imports electricity from its neighbouring countries. But during the winter months, when electricity consumption rises, they are expected to stop exporting. Bulgaria will then have to rely solely on its own production, which will obviously not be sufficient to meet the needs of the domestic market.
„It can be said that Bulgaria’s energy security in the winter months is in jeopardy! Although the modelling that system operators are doing shows that loads will be covered. There is also the possibility of production that will cover the loads, but I think that in some crisis situations countries will really rather close their markets to ensure their own needs and then Bulgaria may remain in a situation where electricity consumption must be limited“, Anton Ivanov told Iskra.bg.
Asked whether a power regime could be reached, he replied:
„It has happened before in our history, but I don’t recommend it. It cannot be a responsible national behavior for us to organize our lives in the absence of electricity supply. On the contrary. We must strive to provide one!“
Ivanov is adamant that it is too late to try to persuade Brussels to postpone or cancel the decision to close the Maritsa-East mines– something that PP „Revival“ is demanding. But what is perfectly realistic is to hold negotiations so that the European Commission can allow the coal plants to be kept on standby and as a backup option in the absence of sufficient electricity to meet the needs of the Bulgarian market. That is, the government must convince Brussels that there will be a real shortage of electricity in Bulgaria and it may even come to a regime in the 21st century.
„Brussels will not allow it when we want to postpone or cancel the closure of coal plants. But when we defend that there will be opportunities for shortages on our electricity market and that is why Bulgaria is providing these capacities as strategic reserves, I think this can be negotiated,“ Anton Ivanov stressed.
Asked whether the massive layoffs at Maritsa East Mines could be avoided in this case, he explained:
„There will be a limited reduction in the number of employees, but not everyone will be laid off! We will not get what happened in TPP Maritsa East 3. This must not be allowed at the other sites!“
According to the energy expert, the possibility should be sought to keep the staff as operational as possible. And staff who cannot be found for operational tasks should be redeployed, not made redundant, because there are many tasks in the complex beyond the direct production of electricity from coal.
This has Bulgaria is not yet threatened by the current regime, Anton Ivanov stressed. But in the future, this real danger faces the country.
[…] Expert: Electricity regime if coal plants close? […]