Reserve greenhouse gas quotas to be awarded to Brikel TPP. Hristo Kovachki has committed himself to investing ?38 mln in new FGD plants

Bulgaria will inquire with the European Commission whether it would be possible to provide free quotas of greenhouse gas emissions from the State reserve for new market entrants to Brikel TPP (Thermoelectric Power Plant ) in order to enable the company to continue operating. The issue was discussed at a meeting attended by Traicho Traikov, Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Nona Karadjova, Minister of Environment and Water, trade unions and the businessman Hristo Kovachki yesterday.

“Other large combustion plants with ecological problems may also benefit from these allowances,” explained officials from the Ministry of Economy.

If the European Commission does not approve this option, extra allowances worth ?50 mln have to be purchased in order to run the company.

“The owner of Brikel TPP, Hristo Kovachki is committed to investing the amount of ?38 mln in FGD (flue gas desulphurization) plants so that the company can meet ecological requirements,” said Minister Traikov. Kovachki has committed himself to providing a bank guarantee covering the full amount of the investment programme in the next few days.

The plants have to be completed by March 2012. A total of 2,000 people work in the company.

Over 10,500 employees from the mining industry could lose their jobs if certain large combustion plants are closed down, informed the trade unions. They insisted that Brikel TPP continue operating and that stringent control over the implementation of the investment programme be carried out every three months.