Analysis

Bulgaria receives green-light for construction of cogeneration plant

The European Commission has approved Bulgarian plans to support the construction and operation of a high-efficient cogeneration plant to produce heat and electricity using fuel derived from unrecyclable municipal waste to be in line with EU State aid rules.

“The support measure will help Bulgaria achieving its energy-efficiency targets and will contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions in line with the EU environmental objectives, without unduly distorting competition,” said Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy.

The plant will produce heat and electricity with a capacity of approximately 55 megawatts (MW) of heat and 19 MW of electricity. Around 180,000 tonnes per year of unrecyclable municipal waste will be used to fuel the plant.  The combined production of heat and electricity by the new plant will enable a primary energy saving of 46.5 per cent compared to a scenario in which heat and electricity would be produced separately.