There are no exceedances of the average daily and average hourly norms of harmful emissions of sulfur dioxide in Dimitrovgrad for the period from April 30 to May 5, 2022. Those remain below the critical threshold applicable to this air pollutant.

On May 8 in the region there was an increase in sulfur dioxide levels as a result of the transfer of pollution from the regions of Stara Zagora and Galabovo, which is evident from the direction of the wind on that day.

In connection with the wide public interest in the topic, we remind you that the work of TPP “Maritsa 3” AD - Dimitrovgrad was suspended by a coercive administrative measure by the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water (RIEW)-Haskovo on April 21, 2022. This was done due to a series of cases of dangerous air pollution with sulfur dioxide above the permissible norms, noncompliance with the conditions of the complex permit, as well as the prescriptions issued by the RIEW-Haskovo.

In its ruling of April 29, 2022, the Administrative Court in Haskovo rejected the request by the TPP “Maritsa 3” - Dimitrovgrad to suspend the preliminary execution of the order by which RIEW-Haskovo imposed the coercive administrative measure to close the operation of the thermal power plant. With its act the court practically confirmed the immediate implementation of the measure, issued by the RIEW.

The administrative measure against TPP “Maritza 3” AD - Dimitrovgrad will remain in force until the combustion plant is brought into a condition that does not lead to dangerous environmental pollution and risks to human health.

The Ministry of Environment and Water will take the necessary actions to penalize the thermal power plants that emit sulfur dioxide above the permissible norms.

Additional information

In addition to the licensed and certified automatic measuring station in the Dimitrovgrad region there is also a mobile station of the EEA. Measurements show that the average daily concentrations of sulfur dioxide are already normal, below the critical threshold of 125 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3).

For the period between April 30 and May 8, the average daily values ​​of sulfur dioxide were as follows:

April 30: 13 µg/m3

May 1: 18 µg/m3

May 2: 72 µg/m3

May 3: 11 µg/m3

May 4: 6 µg/m3

May 5: 19 µg/m3

May 6: 20 µg/m3

May 7: 53 µg/m3

May 8: 59 µg/m3

Before the compulsory administrative measure for suspension of the activity of TPP “Maritza 3” AD, it was only for the month of April that five critical exceedances of the average hourly norm for protection of human health were reported. On April 7, the threshold was exceeded even twice, which means 3 consecutive hours with values above 500 µg/m3, at a threshold value of 350 µg/m3.

For the first four months of this year, 20 signals for air pollution have been submitted by citizens, organizations, and companies to RIEW-Haskovo. During this period, the automatic measuring station reported eight exceedances of the average hourly rate. From May to December 2021, 25 signals were registered related to irregularities in the operation of TPP “Maritsa 3” and 30 exceedances were reported for this period. For 2020, on the other hand, critical air pollution with sulfur dioxide was not reported. During this period TPP “Maritsa 3” did not operate.

We also remind you that the exceedances of the norms for sulfur dioxide are subject to infringement proceedings by the European Commission against Bulgaria. A ruling by the European Court of Justice in this case is expected in the next days.