The caretaker cabinet has approved state guarantees amounting to over EUR 79 million under loan agreements with the National Electric Company for financing the investment project on the modernization and rehabilitation of Chaira Hydro Power Plant. The initially planned guarantee of EUR 40.9 million is being increased due to rising capital expenditures following the update of the project for the restoration of Chaira Hydro Power Plant in light of the need for a greater share of renewable energy in the energy mix.

The Chaira Hydro Power Plant, located in the Rila Mountains beneath the Belmeken reservoir, is the largest pumped-storage plant in Southeast Europe, with four hydro units. However, it has not been operational since 2022 due to the failure of its turbines. The restoration of the plant will be supported by the Japanese company Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation.