Bulgaria's NEK opens tender for new turbines at pumped storage plant

Bulgaria’s national electricity company Natsionalna Elektricheska Kompania EAD (NEK EAD) is launching a public tender for the replacement of two hydro units at the 864-MW Chaira pumped storage hydropower plant, Bulgaria’s energy ministry announced today.

The contract is expected to be worth more than BGN 220.5 million (USD 125.6m/EUR 112.7m) without VAT, with a completion deadline of 42 months. Offers will be accepted by November 15.

NEK EAD is seeking a contractor for the complete replacement of hydro units 1 and 4 after analyses showed the existing ones are heavily worn, the ministry explained.

According to energy minister Vladimir Malinov, restoring the operation of the Chaira plant is among the government’s top priorities. "The implementation of this large-scale project will contribute to the successful integration of the increasing production of electricity from renewable sources and the achievement of the country's decarbonisation goals," he said.

The Chaira pumped storage hydropower plant, the largest such facility in the region, has been offline since March 2022 after a breakdown following the rehabilitation of one of its turbines. The plant has four Toshiba turbines.

(BGN 1 = USD 0.569/EUR 0.511)

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