Bulgaria demands from Brussels free quotas of greenhouse gas emission for TPPs in the period 2013-2020

raya.atanasova@klassa.bg


Bulgaria will demand from Brussels free quotas of greenhouse gas emissions in the period 2013-2020 for the coal-fired electricity generators, announced for Klassa daily the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism (MEET). Currently, the TPPs discard into the atmosphere over 21 million tonnes of harmful carbon emissions. These plants include TPP Enel Maritsa-East 3, TPP Maritsa East 2, TPP Varna, TPP Maritsa 3, TPP Bobov Dol, even NPP Kozloduy. At present, all industrial entities receive free greenhouse gas allowances. In fact, the biggest polluters are the electricity generating plants.

Therefore, as part of the fight against climate change, as of 2013 new trade regulations for greenhouse gas emissions will come into force. After that date, the TPP-s will not be entitled to receive free quotas. Hence, they have to make their production more environmentally friendly or purchase allowances at auctions. Ten countries may request a derogation or postponement of the period in which they will pay entirely the cost of their harmful emissions. According to the regulations, each station is obliged to invest in its technical upgrading a sum equal to the probable cost of the quotas to be purchased. Because of this, the deadline for allocation of free allowances is extended until 2020, but their quantity will decrease. After 2020, all industrial entities will pay for their quotas. Both investments in modern and environmentally friendly equipment, as well as the purchase of quotas, will affect the final price of electricity. According to experts, its cost will increase 10 - 30% as of 2013. Therefore, the electric power plants insist to be granted low-interest loans for new equipment. Only in this way the electricity price will hike less dramatically.

For this purpose, MEET is drawing up a National Investment Plan in order to defend before the EU the need for a derogation period for our country. It should outline the ways for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and be sufficiently detailed, reckoned Dimitar Brankov, Vice-Chairman of the Bulgarian Industrial Association.
If Brussels approves the Bulgarian request for derogation, in 2013 the TPPs will still receive 56.7% of their allowances free of charge.

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