Bulgaria's HPP Chaira shuts down unit for emergency repairs

Pumped-storage hydro power plant (HPP) Chaira shut down one of its units on August 1 for emergency repairs after a breakdown, the Independent Bulgarian Energy Exchange (IBEX) said.

An inspection and revision of the flow part of the turbine will be carried out during the shutdown, IBEX said in a notice on Friday.

The unit is expected to resume operations on August 9.

While the works take place, the plant will be left with 216 MW of unavailable generating capacity and 198 MW of pumping mode capacity.

Chaira HPP, which is the biggest pump-storage hydro power plant in Southeast Europe according to its state-owned operator NEK, has an installed capacity of 864 MW in generating mode and 792 MW in pumping mode.

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