Reservoir levels drop, raising concerns
Water levels in reservoirs are 13% lower than they were this time last year, with some reservoirs holding two to three times less water than a decade ago, according to data from the Ministry of Environment and Water. While the spring snowmelt is still ongoing, the numbers remain alarming, with the 11 main reservoirs supplying much of the country showing insufficient levels.Only three reservoirs-Hristo Smirnenski, Yasna Polyana, and Asenovets-have more water than they did on March 11, 2024, while Srechenska Bara, Kamchiya, Yovkovtsi, and Studena face the most critical shortages. Although water levels were expected to recover after the winter, the season was drier than anticipated, and there is no clear public strategy on how authorities plan to address a potential water crisis.
Green industrial and logistics zones to receive 150m levs in funding
The Managing Authority of the Regional Development Program 2021-2027 is set to launch a selection process for project proposals under the initiative called "Support for Industrial and Logistics Parks and Zones Focused on Clean Energy," as part of the program's Just Transition priority. The initiative is based on territorial plans for the regions of Pernik, Kyustendil, and Stara Zagora, which are expected to be most affected by the climate transition.Additional support will be provided to 10 municipalities in the Maritsa Basin, including Nova Zagora, Yambol, Svilengrad, and Haskovo, to develop or expand industrial and logistics zones with a focus on clean technologies such as energy efficiency and circular economy solutions. The total budget for the initiative is around 149 million levs, with a planned project implementation period of two years.
NEC extends deadline for key hydropower plant repairs
The National Electric Company (NEC) has extended the deadline for submitting bids in the public tender for the repair of part of the Chaira pumped-storage hydropower plant. The decision was made by the new NEC executive director, Georgi Dobrev, with applications now accepted until March 24, according to a report by Capital. No official reason for the extension has been provided, but it is likely due to a lack of bidders.This is the latest attempt to push forward the long-delayed repairs of critical infrastructure at the plant, which suffered a major failure several years ago. Previous tenders were canceled due to a lack of interest from contractors, despite an increase in the repair budget to 242.5 million levs (VAT excluded). The new procedure involves a two-stage selection process, starting with an application phase followed by negotiations with selected candidates-if any come forward.
Reservoir levels drop, raising concerns
Water levels in reservoirs are 13% lower than they were this time last year, with some reservoirs holding two to three times less water than a decade ago, according to data from the Ministry of Environment and Water. While the spring snowmelt is still ongoing, the numbers remain alarming, with the 11 main reservoirs supplying much of the country showing insufficient levels.Only three reservoirs-Hristo Smirnenski, Yasna Polyana, and Asenovets-have more water than they did on March 11, 2024, while Srechenska Bara, Kamchiya, Yovkovtsi, and Studena face the most critical shortages. Although water levels were expected to recover after the winter, the season was drier than anticipated, and there is no clear public strategy on how authorities plan to address a potential water crisis.
