Bulgaria's NEK EAD signs memorandum with Toshiba International Europe Ltd. to restart 864 MW Chaira pumped-storage hydropower plant

Bulgaria’s state-owned utility Natsionalna Elektricheska Kompania EAD (NEK EAD) signed a memorandum of understanding with Toshiba International Europe Ltd., the UK subsidiary of Japan’s Toshiba Corp., to restart operations at the 864 MW Chaira pumped-storage hydropower plant in the Rhodope Mountains near Devin. The facility, the largest of its kind in Southeastern Europe, has been offline since March 2022 following a turbine failure in Unit 4, which was attributed to material fatigue and cavitation effects. Toshiba, which originally supplied the pumped-storage turbine and generator for Unit 1 in 1994 and later expanded involvement to all four units, will conduct repair work on Unit 1 and provide technical support for Units 2, 3, and 4, including operational and maintenance services. The Chaira plant features four reversible Francis pump-turbines, each rated at 216 MW in generating mode and 197 MW in pumping mode, with Units 1 and 2 commissioned in 1995 and Units 3 and 4 in 1999. Bulgaria’s Ministry of Energy highlighted the urgent need for restoration due to aging infrastructure and the plant’s critical role in the country’s energy grid.

Counterparts (3)

Partner

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Toshiba International Europe Ltd

company · 1 deals

Toshiba International Europe Ltd. (part of Toshiba Europe) is a European subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, specializing in power generation, transmission, and distribution technologies, including renewable energy systems, battery storage, and semiconductor solutions. The company operates across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia with a focus on energy infrastructure and sustainable technologies.

parent_company

Toshiba Corp

company · 1 deals

Tokyo-based conglomerate manufacturing energy infrastructure equipment including steam turbines, transmission & distribution systems, energy storage, and hydrogen solutions, with a focus on decarbonization technologies.

Developer

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Natsionalna Elektricheska Kompania EAD (NEK EAD)

company · 1 deals

Bulgaria-based state-owned utility focused on hydropower generation and electricity trading, operating 31 hydroelectric plants with 2,739 MW of installed capacity and serving as the country's largest green energy producer.