Environmental regulators in Bulgaria have identified a series of irregularities at the Bobov Dol thermal power plant following unannounced inspections carried out in mid-April. The findings indicate breaches of the facility’s integrated environmental permit, prompting the authorities to launch formal enforcement procedures.
The inspections, conducted both inside the plant and in surrounding areas, revealed multiple sources of emissions. Investigators detected uncontrolled and diffuse gas releases from sections of the boiler house and the gas duct system, in addition to emissions from regulated discharge points. Monitoring confirmed that pollutant levels were exceeding permitted thresholds in several locations.
According to the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water in Sofia, some exhaust gases produced during operation were not properly directed through mandatory treatment systems, including desulfurization units. Instead, they were released directly into the atmosphere through damaged parts of the infrastructure, representing a clear violation of environmental standards.
This is not the first recent issue at the facility. Earlier in the month, authorities had already initiated a separate procedure concerning air pollution following another unannounced inspection. As a result, an administrative penalty process has now been opened, with sanctions expected within the legally defined timeframe.
The inspectorate has also announced that it will intensify monitoring activities at the plant to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and to reduce the risk of further emissions-related violations.
