site.btaEnergy Minister: We Are Looking Into Renegotiating Recovery and Resilience Plan without Closing TPPs

Caretaker Minister of Energy Rossen Hristov told reporters in parliament on Friday that the commitment made by the previous government, had the potential to be extremely dangerous not only for the workers at the Maritsa Iztok coal-fired power plant but also for Bulgaria's energy and national security. "Since day one we have been working on options on how to renegotiate or meet the targets in the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) without closing the power plants," the Minister specified.

Hristov said that this country is ready to adopt all the commitments that have already been adopted by the other EU Member States. According to him, no other country has committed to reducing emissions by 40% compared to 2019.

Asked whether a parliamentary decision is needed to renegotiate the plan's commitments, Hristov responded that the RRP does not require a parliamentary decision, but "if there was one, it would be very helpful". The Minister shared that the process have already been started and expressed hope that it will be brought to a successful conclusion either by this caretaker government or by the regular government that follows.

Hristov said that anything can be renegotiated. "Our position is to be well-prepared, to offer an alternative that is fully beneficial for the European Commission. We do not desire some total renegotiation and to run away from the goals. We want to be in line with all other EU Member States, we even want to be in the top positions," Hristov said.