It is reported that Maritsa Iztok mines received a EUR 15 million grant to increase the energy efficiency of the mining operations.

As per report, Mr Ivan Markov CEO of Maritsa Iztok and Mr Balthasar Lindauer deputy director of department for nuclear safety at European Bank for Reconstruction & Development signed an agreement for the grant from the EBRD administered Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund.

Another EUR 19.5 million grant will contribute to the rehabilitation and modernization of the Maritza East 2 Thermal Power Plant through the installation of gypsum dewatering systems for units 1-6 and construction of a cooling pump station.

The Maritza East 2 power plant is the largest TPP in Bulgaria based on vast local deposits of lignite coal. To improve environmental standards and energy efficiency the power plant is currently undergoing extensive refurbishment and rehabilitation. The EBRD has supported these efforts with loans exceeding EUR 70 million.

The Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund is one of the three international decommissioning funds managed by the EBRD and is supporting the Bulgarian authorities with the decommissioning of units 1-4 of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant. The scope of the fund also includes the promotion and support of projects which modernize and improve energy use in Bulgaria.

Established in 2001, the Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund has received contributions from the European Community, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

(Sourced from www.novinite.com)