ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3 TPP shutdown after contract with NEC expires

The thermal power plant (TPP) ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3 - one of the two so-called American power plants - has ceased operations. The reason is the expiry of the long-term contract with the National Electricity Company for the purchase of electricity at fixed prices. "The shutdown is temporary, there will be no layoffs at this stage," CEO Vassil Shtonov told Stara Zagora media Divident.eu. The cost of electricity produced by Maritsa East 3 is 125 euro per MWh - far higher than prices on the Bulgarian Energy Exchange.

After the shutdown of the country's second largest thermal power plant, the state energy operator assured that the electricity supply system was working properly. Bulgaria's coal-fired power plants AES Galabovo TTP, Maritsa East 2 TTP and Bobov Dol are still in operation, with Bobov Dol TPP on the open market.