Bulgaria orders partial shutdown at Bobov Dol coal plant after environmental violations

Bulgaria has moved to tighten enforcement against its aging coal fleet, ordering a partial suspension of operations at the Bobov Dol thermal power plant after repeated environmental violations. The decision underscores how regulators are balancing stricter compliance with the practical need to maintain reliable power—particularly for the Sofia region.

Regulator action targets boiler unit 2

Environment Minister Rositsa Karamfilova said the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water in Sofia will issue a mandatory administrative order requiring the shutdown of boiler unit 2 at the coal-fired facility. She linked the enforcement step to a sequence of inspections that found breaches of both Bulgaria’s environmental legislation and the plant’s integrated operating permit.

Karamfilova also pointed to complaints received by state institutions about how the plant was operating. Those reports prompted further inspections and regulatory reviews before authorities moved to impose shutdown requirements.

Electricity security considered as maintenance continues

Energy Minister Iva Petrova said the government assessed how shutting down unit 2 could affect electricity supply security, with particular attention on Sofia. She noted that, under the plant’s current configuration, at least one generating unit must remain in operation to support stable electricity supply.

At present, unit 2 remains active, while unit 3 is undergoing maintenance, with completion expected by the end of the week. Petrova added that once the shutdown order is implemented, the facility should still be able to operate with one unit running.

Stronger enforcement pressure on coal assets

The order reflects growing regulatory pressure on coal-fired plants in Bulgaria as authorities tighten environmental oversight while weighing energy-security and system-reliability concerns. For investors and operators, it highlights how permit compliance and enforcement risk are increasingly becoming central factors in capital planning for conventional generation assets.