site.btaDeputy PM Pekanov: First Talks with EC Officials on Sofia's Insistence to Revise Decarbonization Deadline to Be Held Next Week

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister for EU Funds Atanas Pekanov said Friday on Bulgarian National Television that next week he will start talks with the European Commission on what procedure will follow Thursday’s decision of the Bulgarian Parliament mandating the Council of Ministers to revise the provisions of the Recovery and Resilience Plan relating to the phasing out of coal.

Pekanov explained that the EC is also in the process of clarifying how to proceed, as this is a precedent.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that the caretaker cabinet will comply with Parliament's decision and will take steps to renegotiate those commitments that seem unrealistic or difficult to implement in the current situation.

"Due to the constantly changing energy situation, this year and most likely the next, it seems very difficult to fulfill the goals that have been set - a 10% reduction in emissions from coal plants for this year," commented Pekanov.

The current energy situation has led to extremely high positive financial results for Bulgarian coal plants, in contrast to the years before 2021. Secondly, Bulgaria exports electricity to neighbouring countries and in this sense helps the Balkan Peninsula's energy system, added Pekanov.

He pointed out that during the talks with the EC, he will request to drop the requirement for a 40% reduction in harmful emissions for this and the next year, and alternatives will be proposed.