The development plan of the Maritsa-East Energy complex—the largest in Southeastern Europe—was the focus of the seminar "Jobs and Energy in the Transition from Coal", held in Sofia, Bulgaria, on December 3. This complex integrates lignite open-pit mines and multiple thermal power plants, making it central to Bulgaria's energy landscape and the ongoing shift to sustainable energy.
Stara Zagora in Bulgaria is “coaling” for a Just Transition!
- 17 December 2024
Sofia Alves, Director at the European Commission, joined the panel "Financing the Transition: Options and Challenges" to emphasize the unprecedented level of EU funding available: “Bulgaria can benefit from funds under the Resilience and Recovery Plan, the Just Transition Fund, the Public Sector Laon Facility, the Invest EU JTF dedicated scheme – to name a few. However, the funding available is timebound and has specific rules to be applied and therefore, needs to be accessed as soon as possible”
The event attracted over 120 participants, including representatives from the European Commission, European Investment Bank (EIB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Bulgarian ministries, trade unions, energy experts, and stakeholders from the Stara Zagora region.
Lessons from Europe
The seminar highlighted best practices from other EU countries navigating the transition. Spain's Just Transition Institute, which oversees its decarbonization strategy, underscored the importance of strong political commitment. Similarly, Greece's Metavasi, a dedicated agency managing Just Transition projects, offered valuable insights. Energy experts presented several pioneering technologies for producing green energy, hydrogen, and ammonia—solutions that could potentially transform the Maritsa-East Complex.
On-Site Discussions in Stara Zagora
The day after the seminar, a Commission’s delegation visited the Maritsa East Complex in the region of Stara Zagora. They met with the Management of Mini Maritsa Iztok (the mines), as well as TPP MARITSA EAST 2, the largest thermal power plant in Bulgaria, together with the Deputy Energy Minister of Bulgaria, Krassimir Nenov. Each entity presented their vision for the greening and future development of their enterprises in the face of the accelerating transition, and potential financing options were explored.
EU Support for Bulgaria’s Coal Regions
With an allocation of EUR 1.2 billion, the EU is supporting a just climate transition for Bulgaria’s coal regions. Among these, the Region of Stara Zagora is by far the biggest and most affected by the coal transition. Other areas where Just Transition Fund will invest are Kyustendil and Perni.