13 Jun 2026
The forum brings together representatives of institutions, the energy sector, businesses, academia, trade unions and civil society to discuss the future of Bulgaria’s energy sector and the development of the Maritsa East complex.
The discussions centre on Bulgaria’s energy security, particularly the future of coal-fired power plants and their role in safeguarding the country’s energy supply. Guests, panellists and stakeholders are examining the economic, technological and social aspects of the complex’s development prospects. The challenges and opportunities of the green transition and a just transformation have emerged as a leading focus, alongside investment and innovation in the energy sector.
In a region whose future is closely tied to the Maritsa East complex, local government, businesses and civil society play a strategic role in guiding the economic transformation, facilitating dialogue and protecting local interests.
Stara Zagora is the region’s main economic hub and the administrative centre coordinating the transition. Although the mines and power plants are located within the municipalities of Radnevo and Galabovo, nearly 75% of the complex’s employees live in the Municipality of Stara Zagora, giving the local authority a direct responsibility to help prevent a socioeconomic crisis.
The forum was opened by Radostin Tanev, Deputy Mayor of Stara Zagora responsible for Transport, Ecology, Investments and Green Transition. In his address, he emphasised the importance of transparency regarding the complex’s operations, sound analysis and oversight of funding. Tanev stressed that decarbonisation is not an end in itself, but an opportunity for the region’s industrial development. He also highlighted that investments in the municipality reached EUR 255 million in 2025, with 1,800 jobs secured.
The Municipality of Stara Zagora’s activities focus on several areas: continuing to develop industrial infrastructure, administering the Just Transition Fund through its specialised investment department, Invest Stara Zagora, and retaining skilled workers.
The municipal leadership firmly supports a gradual and realistic transition rather than the abrupt closure of power generation facilities.
The Deputy Mayor explained that the development of Stara Zagora’s industrial zones is being accompanied by the preparation of a Workforce Attraction Strategy, which will soon be presented to businesses.
From the outset, panellists emphasised sustainability and a future shaped by responsibility towards workers and their families.
Participants include Todor Todorov, Executive Director of Mini Maritsa-Iztok; Yanilin Pavlov, Executive Director of Brikel; Professor Valentin Kolev, Chair of the Bulgarian Branch Chamber of Power Engineers and Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Technical University of Sofia; Rositsa Raykova, Head of the Department of Investments at the Municipality of Stara Zagora; Members of Parliament; and energy experts.
