Minister Malinov: The largest battery in Southeast Europe will work again

"The largest battery in Southeast Europe will work again. This is one of the main priorities of the government in energy and today we are taking a serious step towards its implementation. I am glad that our efforts to restore the operation of this unique facility are supported by companies with undisputed expertise, knowledge and experience - the Japanese Toshiba and the Voith ABB consortium." This was stated by the Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov during the ceremony of signing contracts for the repair and rehabilitation of hydro units 1 and 3 of the Chaira Hydroelectric Power Plant, which took place at the Ministry of Energy in the presence of the Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria H.E. Hisashi Michigami and the Commercial Counselor at the Embassy of Austria in Bulgaria Philipp Kupfer.

Toshiba Corporation, which is the manufacturer of the original equipment of the plant, will repair hydro unit 1, and the Voith ABB consortium - hydro unit 3.

According to Minister Malinov, the work of the Chaira Hydroelectric Power Plant is of key importance both for energy security and for better balancing of the electricity system and for the successful integration of the growing RES production in the region. To the participants in the ceremony, the Minister of Energy recalled the recently completed repair of hydro unit 2 of the plant, in which a specially developed innovative solution was applied. Thanks to its successful implementation, the hydro unit passed the 72-hour tests at the end of 2024 and can now participate in the country's electricity system. The same approach will be applied to hydro unit 3. We recall that in order to ensure sustainable long-term operation of the Chaira Hydroelectric Power Plant, the National Electric Company EAD initiated a procedure for the complete replacement of hydro units 1 and 4.

"Bulgaria has rich water resources, the full use of which will provide us with predictability and sustainable solutions in the energy sector. Our cooperation with Toshiba and the Voith ABB consortium, which have undisputed expertise and experience, is a key step in this direction," Minister Malinov emphasized. According to him, thanks to this cooperation, already in early 2026 three of the four units of the power plant will be able to operate again, providing over 600 MW of electricity in pumped storage mode for Bulgarian consumers.

The Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria H.E. Hisashi Michigami thanked the Minister of Energy for the active efforts made to deepen bilateral relations after his visit to Japan in the fall of 2024. He emphasized his satisfaction with the restoration of business relations between the two countries, the symbol of which is Toshiba's engagement in the repair and rehabilitation of hydro unit 1 of the power plant.

In conclusion, Minister Malinov called on Japanese and Austrian companies to actively participate in Bulgaria's future energy projects, thus contributing to the deepening of relations between our countries. "In this, you can fully rely on the support of the Ministry of Energy," he added.