site.bta Energy Sector, MPs, Unions Demand Immediate Negotiations with EC on Target for 40% Cut of Carbon Emissions by 2026

Energy and coal-mining companies' managements, employer and branch organizations, municipality mayors and leaders of energy federations affiliated with the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) and the Podkrepa Confederation of Labour insist on immediate negotiations with the European Commission about the 40% reduction of Bulgaria's carbon emissions by 40% by 2026 compared to 2019 which is required by he National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).

A joint declaration to this effect, adopted at a discussion hosted by the CITUB on Friday, will be laid before the National Assembly and the Council of Ministers. 

Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA) Board Chairman Vassil Velev described compliance with the European Commission's requirement as "ritual suicide". Bulgarian Industrial Association President Dobri Mitrev argued that "even if we meet these targets, Bulgaria will be crippled both economically and demographically".

GERB MPs also backed the declaration. Former energy minister Temenuzhka Petkova stressed that coal-fired power plants are vital for the Bulgarian energy sector. "I don't think that the commitment which has been assumed protects our country's inerest in any way whatsoever," she pointed out.

National Assembly Energy Committee Chair Delyan Dobrev MP of GERB even sees the NRRP as a threat to national security. After the discussion, he told journalists that President Rumen Radev should convene the Consultative Council for National Secureity to address the issue. "The 12 TWh of electricity that will not be produced [if the target is met] cost EUR 3.2 billion at current prices. This represents 4% of Bulgaria's GDP, which means that the country's economy will shrink by 4% for this reason alone," the MP explained.