An energy gift for Christmas: It is planned to launch one of the hydro units of PSHP "Chaira" by the end of the year

The Bulgarian energy industry and consumers will have a Christmas present. It is expected that one of the hydro units of the damaged PSHP "Chaira" will be operational shortly before the holidays. This was stated by NEC executive director Martin Georgiev during the Korean-Bulgarian energy forum. Hydro Unit 2 will be tested and subsequently commissioned at the end of this year. "In less than a month, we expect to begin functional tests of one unit at the Chaira PSHP plant, and next week tests will begin to check the condition of the machines, explained Georgiev. If everything goes according to plan, hydrounit 3 is expected at the latest the large PSHP to be included in the energy system at the end of 2025.

The remaining two hydro units are still being surveyed and will take years of work to bring them back to life. Thus, for hydrounits 1 and 4, a tender procedure is now underway for their replacement due to their amortized condition, which does not allow them to be repaired," said the head of NEC quoted by BTA.

At the forum, he presented data from a study by the International Renewable Energy Association (IRENA) for the year 2023. The study found that there is untapped potential for hydro generation in the Eastern European region, unlike the Western European region.

Among the projects listed by Martin Georgiev with potential in the area, he focused on the Cross-border Danube project between Bulgaria and Romania for the Nikopol-Turnu Magurele hydroelectric complex. There, the Bulgarian side is currently playing a more active role and preparing the documents.

The other two important energy projects for NEC are the construction of two new hydropower plants - at the Batak and Dospat dams. For these projects, the state-owned company has the support of the European Investment Bank. An analysis of the two sites will be done next week, together with the consultants.

NEC is also keeping up with emerging energy storage systems and intends to build its own battery park. The energy storage system will be placed on the territory of the Vača 1 dam.