Bulgaria stops exports of electricity because of the ongoing strike

The export of electricity from Bulgaria was stopped today by an order of Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Traicho Traikov who explained this measure with the ongoing strike of miners at the Maritsa Iztok Mines. According to Traikov, there is sufficient electricity for the domestic market and there will be no rationing. However, electricity traders on the open market are expected to suffer losses because it is not clear when the export of electricity will be resumed. Currently, Bulgaria exports 800 MW mainly to Greece, Turkey and Serbia, and the three countries meet their consumption needs with imports from Bulgaria.

Maritsa Iztok 2 TPP stated that this morning, the miners stopped 20 waggons with coal from the Pernik mines. “Blackmail cannot be a way of solving problems,” Traikov commented on this occasion. The police will be relied on to ensure the transportation of compositions with coal. According to Traikov, the motives for the strike have expanded and already include private corporate interests. Coal from Pernik is currently supplied not only to Maritsa Iztok 2 TPP, but also to Brickel TPP. Representatives of the state-owned power station, Maritsa Iztok 2, explained that their coal stocks will last 14 days. By an order of the Electricity System Operator (ESO), unit 7 of the power station is expected to stop operation on Saturday.

ESO explained that 800 MW of TPP capacities in the East Maritsa basin will be decommissioned tomorrow by order of Minister Traikov – at AES Galabovo TPP, Maritsa Iztok 2 TPP and KonturGlobal Maritsa Iztok 3. However, the Ministry denied that information.

The decommissioning of TPP capacities is due to the difficulties with the supply of coal. Maritsa Iztok 2 TPP already explained that it will suffer huge financial losses because of stopping operation. The export of electricity is one of the main items in the proceeds of the National Electric Company (NEK) and without it the public provider will have to ask for a price increase.

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