Bulgaria’s largest state-owned coal-fired power station will begin co-firing biomass with lignite at the end of February, marking a significant step in efforts to improve cost efficiency and extend the operational lifespan of the country’s coal assets.
The plant will initially introduce a 5 per cent biomass share in its fuel mix, gradually increasing this to 30 per cent during the trial phase. Management expects the shift to wood-based fuel to lower generation costs substantially once the higher blending ratio is achieved.
According to estimates presented by Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov, electricity prices from the facility could fall by as much as €50 per megawatt hour at the 30 per cent co-firing level. The projected reduction would strengthen the plant’s competitiveness in the wholesale market while maintaining demand for domestically mined lignite.
Five of the site’s eight generating units are currently in operation. The ministry has indicated that, if the biomass integration proves successful, all eight units could be running at full capacity within a year.
Investment in the required handling and combustion equipment may be financed through the EU’s Just Transition Fund, which has earmarked €88 million for Bulgaria’s coal regions. Additional funding could be secured through commercial lending, depending on project requirements and timelines.
The proposed fuel diversification has also been discussed with operators of neighbouring US-owned plants, including Maritsa-Iztok 1 and Maritsa-Iztok 3, as stakeholders assess broader implications for the Maritsa-Iztok energy complex.
For industry participants, the trial represents a pragmatic approach to balancing decarbonisation pressures with energy security considerations, particularly in regions where coal remains a key economic driver.
