The power plants in Maritsa coal basin will continue to operate at a capacity of 1,600 megawatts. Bulgaria does not plan to close thermal power plants, as announced by the caretaker government in line with the EU Green Deal and the National Recovery and Sustainability Plan, Deputy Prime Minister Assen Vassilev said in parliament.

Vassilev admitted that Bulgaria would not be able to contract 70% of the EU funding this year. 2.5-3 billion euros will be negotiated instead of the expected 4.5 billion euros.

• Negotiations with European Commission under way to replace coal in the Maritsa Basin
• Ministers Vassilev and Petkov sign a petition supporting Maritsa East coal basin

The GERB opposition has strongly criticized the government's project to build a battery park at a cost of 750 000 euros to balance the reduced electricity production. Former energy minister Delyan Dobrev said the investment would never pay off and the plan was meant only to serve a private investment fund.