NEK successfully completed the rehabilitation of Belmeken-Sestrimo-Momina Klisura, the largest hydropower cascade in Bulgaria
With the completion of the modernization of Sestrimo hydropower plant, the entire cascade, 735 MW in generating mode and 104 MW in pumping mode, is available for renewable energy production
With the modernization of Sestrimo hydropower plant NEK successfully completed the rehabilitation of the largest hydropower cascade in Bulgaria, Belmeken-Sestrimo-Momina Klisura. The event was celebrated with the participation of the Minister of Environment and Water, Eng. Petar Dimitrov, Deputy Minister of Energy, Mr. Georgi Samandov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BEH, prof. Vesselina Kanatova-Buchkova, representatives of EBRD, Deputy Ambassador of the Czech Republic, Mr. Petr Vavra, Rector of the Technical University of Sofia, prof. Ivan Kralov, the Chairman of the BBCPE, prof. Valentin Kolev, representatives of the rehabilitation contractor consortium, representatives of the local government, veterans and employees of the company.
The successful implementation of the rehabilitation of both Sestrimo HPP and the power plants of the whole cascade is of key importance for ensuring the stability and reliability of the Bulgarian power system. “The modernization ensures failure-free operation of the plants, which will continue to be a reliable source of renewable energy for decades to come," emphasized NEK CEO Eng. Martin Georgiev.
Eng. Georgiev thanked the donors of the project and especially the European Commission and the KIDS Fund Administrator, EBRD, for their support throughout the project implementation. He also thanked the rehabilitation contractor for the successful cooperation. Martin Georgiev also expressed his appreciation to the employees of Sestrimo HPP and congratulated them for their high professionalism and excellent performance of the modernization.
"The flexibility of the hydropower capacities allows successful balancing of the electricity system not only in Bulgaria but also in the region, which makes Belmeken-Sestrimo-Momina Klisura cascade a key component for the Bulgarian energy sector," Deputy Energy Minister, Georgi Samandov, said.
Minister Dimitrov wished a trouble-free operation and assured the hosts from the Ministry of Energy and NEK that in the face of the MoEW, as directly involved in water management at national level, they have a reliable partner who will always contribute to the common strategic goals.
The scope of the rehabilitation of Sestrimo HPP includes design, manufacture, supply, installation and commissioning of turbine equipment, plant-wide control and monitoring systems and new operator stations. The modernization will contribute to reducing maintenance costs, improving performance in terms of voltage levels and frequency control, increasing operational reliability, and making more efficient use of the available hydropotential.
The cost of the rehabilitation of Sestrimo HPP is EUR 4,401,131.55 and the cost of the entire cascade is EUR 19,997,642.45. The financing is 70% European funds from the Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund (KIDSF) and 30% NEK's own funds. KIDSF is administered by the EBRD and funded by the European Union and the following donors: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Further information about the rehabilitation
The Sestrimo HPP rehabilitation project was implemented within the framework of a grant agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development as KIDSF Administrator for the rehabilitation of Belmeken-Sestrimo-Chaira hydropower complex and the rehabilitation of Vacha-1 HPP 110 kV switchyard and other HPP systems under joint control. The total budget of the agreement is EUR 37 million, of which 70% is financed by KIDSF and 30% by NEK.
Belmeken - Sestrimo - Momina Klisura cascade includes Belmeken PSHPP, Sestrimo HPP, Momina Klisura HPP, Belmeken Reservoir, Stankovi Baraki balancing basin and Momina Klisura balancing basin. It is on the northeastern slopes of the Rila Mountains and extends from 1920 m above sea level at Belmeken dam to 369 m above sea level at Momina Klisura HPP.
On 18.05.2018 a contract was signed between NEK EAD and consortium KONČAR KET - ČKD BLANSKO - RUDIS for the rehabilitation of the three power plants of the cascade.
