Rumen Radev: The municipality of Radnevo must be preserved as the energy heart of Bulgaria with the gradual introduction of new technologies and guaranteeing jobs

With its highly trained professionals and traditions, the municipality of Radnevo must remain and establish itself as the energy heart of Bulgaria. This should happen with the phased introduction of modern technologies to make the transition to decarbonization, but also with the clear condition for securing jobs and a perspective for the region, President Rumen Radev said to the residents and guests of Radnevo on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the declaration of the settlement as a city. During the visit, the head of state also held a meeting with the management of the municipality, where the future development of the municipality and the region was discussed.

In his greeting to the residents and guests of Radnevo, the president highlighted the dedication and will of several generations for the construction of "Mini Maritsa - East", the importance of the complex for national energy security, as well as the concern of the local population about the social cost associated with the fate of the coal mines headquarters. The energy crisis clearly showed how important it is for the country to have its own energy resources, highly trained specialists and its own technologies for electricity production, the president pointed out.

Rumen Radev stated that a frank debate is needed at the national and regional level on the future of coal energy in the context of European policies to achieve carbon neutrality of the economies by 2050, clearly outlining the social consequences of these transformations. "My commitment is to do everything possible to protect the coal plants in Bulgaria and to prolong their operation as much as possible," the head of state pointed out, noting the need for a smooth transition to decarbonization.

On the occasion of the Radnevo holiday, the president wished the city's residents to continue working for the future of their region with dignity. The president was in the city together with his wife Desislava Radeva.