Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and Deputy Prime Minister for Climate Policies and Minister of Environment and Water Borislav Sandov conducted an unexpected inspection of the “Brikel” TPP in Galabovo.

 During the inspection yesterday, very concerning findings were established, despite the fact that the capacity of the thermal power plant was reduced at 20%. The mobile air monitoring station reported a sulfur dioxide level of 5 600 milligrams per cubic meter, which amounts to more than 16 times the normal level. Fine dust particles were recorded at 1367 µg/m3, the normal amount being 50 µg/m3.

Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and Deputy Prime Minister Borislav Sandov were joined for the inspection by representatives of a number of institutions: RIRIEW - Stara Zagora, RIEW - Haskovo, Directorate General “Fire Safety and Civic Protection”, the Labor Inspectorate, and the National Center for Public Health and Analysis. Detailed reports and a quick reaction were requested from all institutions. Prime Minister Petkov will also request a report by the State Agency “National Security” to establish who is the actual owner of “Brikel” and whether there is a connection with Mr. Hristo Kovacki, which has not been duly declared.

The Deputy Prime Minister Borislav Sandov in turn pointed out that in the last six years there have been 51 criminal proceeding decrees against the “Brikel” TPP. A large number of them have not been appealed at second instance but are likely written in such a way that they will fall in court.

 “There are places in Bulgaria that are still feudalized by certain people”, said Minister Sandov and added: “Certainly, some employees were subordinated not to the state, but to someone else, whose violations they covered up. We are conducting very serious checks in this regard. In addition to changes in personnel, we must completely renew the equipment so that it measures and shows in real time what is happening. Including video cameras, GPS systems, so that there is no possibility for someone to make a fictitious control and put people’s health at risk”.