High-priced electricity could not save the energy workers at Maritsa Iztok 3 TPP

Less than a month after one of the units of the "ContourGlobal Maritsa Iztok 3" TPP was switched on due to the high electricity prices on the energy stock exchange, there was news of another wave of layoffs at the thermal power plant. This was also confirmed by the regional governor of Stara Zagora Province, Metodi Markov.

The impending discharge of 160 workers from the plant became clear already at the beginning of July, but a few days later, shock prices on the energy stock exchange gave the facility a chance to resume operations. However, the short duration of the high prices ​​did not save the energy workers in the enterprise, who have already received their termination notices and will be let go on August 20.

The fact that ContourGlobal worked for two weeks when the price of electricity was high does not change the deadline for the workers’ discharge - August 20," said the regional governor, quoted by Radio Stara Zagora.

Metodi Markov explained that there is a serious gap between economic reality and expectations, considering that the departing workers find it difficult to find a new job, as they are used to receiving high wages.

The workers in the power plant complex are quite well paid. In the Stara Zagora region, the average salary is about 900 euros. At the moment, it is very difficult to find a high-paid job, there are only a few cases with an overlap between work expectations on the part of laid-off workers and their future employers' capacities for high pay. These few cases concern mainly people with higher educational qualifications and experience".

Thus, the energy workers who are laid off have no incentive to look for new jobs, as they stand to receive high unemployment benefits and severance pay.

Most of them will receive unemployment compensation for the next 12 months, at rates higher than the average salary for the region.

They are just in a waiting position to see how things will develop in the context of the Green Deal next year," added Markov.

He also explained that those who have been laid off miss the opportunity to switch to a 4-hour working day and to join the so-called "50:50 retraining program" developed by the trade unions to provide workers in this sector with new skills.

Metodi Markov said in conclusion that there is no tension among the workers at the thermal plant and that no protest actions have been planned.

The layoffs began in mid-May. From the 450 workers and employees in the company, according to the plan, only about 35 will remain to deal with the new projects.

In February 2024, following the expiration of the long-term contract with the state-owned National Electric Company (NEK), the "Maritsa East 3" plant was shut down, as its cost price was too high and the prices of its electricity were not competitive on the free market.

ContourGlobal remains committed to long-term investments in Bulgaria and has already advanced a project to repurpose the Maritsa power plant site to use renewable energy sources via solar panels and batteries, according to the company's website.

Translated by Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov