Operations at one of Bulgaria’s key coal-fired power plants are coming to an end, as AES Bulgaria confirmed plans to place its TPP Galabovo facility into conservation (standby) mode following the expiry of a long-term electricity supply agreement.
The decision follows the termination of a power purchase contract with the state-owned utility NEK (National Electricity Company), which previously guaranteed stable revenues through fixed-price electricity sales. Without this contract, continued operation of the plant has become economically unviable.
The transition to standby status is expected within the coming weeks, with a significantly reduced workforce remaining on site to ensure basic maintenance and technical preservation of the facility. According to available information, approximately 350 employees will be affected by the shutdown process.
Although electricity production will be halted, AES Bulgaria has indicated that discussions are ongoing with the Bulgarian government and industry stakeholders. The aim is to explore potential mechanisms that could allow the plant to play a future role in maintaining national energy system stability, possibly under a revised operational or regulatory framework.
TPP Galabovo has been an important part of Bulgaria’s power generation mix, producing around 2.62 million MWh in 2025, which corresponds to approximately 7% of national electricity consumption. Its closure therefore represents a notable shift in the country’s coal generation capacity.
At the same time, AES Bulgaria continues to operate its renewable energy assets in Bulgaria. The company’s Sveti Nikola wind farm near Kavarna remains a significant source of green electricity, generating over 284,000 MWh last year, with particularly strong performance recorded in December.
