Bulgaria's Ministry of Economy is seeking to ensure the Varna Thermal Power Station will remain operational despite not having complied with European norms, the institution said in a statement.
The ministry believes that Varna TPP, the second-largest thermal station in Bulgaria and on the Balkans, is necessary both on a national level (safeguarding security of supplies) and on a regional level.
Authorities urge the plant's owners to make the investment needed for its modernization and the fulfillment of environmental norms.
Under EU rules, Varna TPP, owned by CEZ Razpredelenie-Balgaria (the Bulgarian branch of Czech-based electricity company CEZ) should be upgraded by end-2014.
Otherwise it has to be closed down on January 1.