On Monday 25 November, the European Commission authorised Bulgaria’s project to support the construction and operation of a high-efficiency cogeneration plant for heat and electricity using fuel derived from non-recyclable municipal waste for almost €94 million. The project is considered to comply with EU state aid rules.
On 8 October 2019, Bulgaria notified the Commission of its plan to support the construction and operation of a high-efficiency cogeneration plant in Sofia, Bulgaria. The facility will produce heat and electricity and will have a heat production capacity of approximately 55 megawatts (MW) and 19 MW of electricity. Approximately 180,000 tonnes per year of non-recyclable municipal waste will be used to feed the facility. Set up by Toplofikacia EAD, a company 100% owned by the Municipality of Sofia, this installation will be connected to Sofia’s district heating network. Construction will be completed by the end of 2023. The Commission estimated that the combined production of heat and electricity by the new installation would allow a primary energy saving of 46.5% compared to a situation where heat and electricity would be produced separately, which would meet the criteria set by the Energy Efficiency Directive. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)