Simona Gotsova 
Energy
The third hydroelectric unit at the Chaira Pumped-Storage Power Plant is back online
The plant is now contributing 420 MW to the country’s power grid
© ECONOMIC.BG / NEC
~ 1 min read
The largest pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Southeast Europe – the Chaira Pumped-Storage Power Plant – will bring another of its units online. On June 10, {year} hydroelectric unit No. 3 successfully passed the State Acceptance Commission and received Certificate 16, the National Electricity company (NEC) announced on Wednesday.
The company stated that the Commission verified that the rehabilitation was carried out in accordance with the working design and in strict compliance with all requirements of Bulgarian legislation.
With this document NEC will receive official permission to use and put the hydroelectric unit into regular operation. This marks the completion of the final stage of the facility’s restoration,” the company added.
In parallel NEC continues to work consistently toward the return to operation of hydroelectric unit No. 1. The Japanese corporation Toshiba is carrying out the restoration activities in accordance with the approved schedule. The restoration work is expected to be completed in 2028. NEC is also preparing the next steps for the restoration of hydroelectric unit No. 4.
We remind you that earlier this year it became clear that hydroelectric unit No. 2 is returning to the system of the pumped-storage power plant.
Translated with DeepL.
