The repair of the second hydro unit at the Chaira Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant has been completed, reported BNT. Caretaker Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov is expected to inspect the facility in the presence of caretaker Premier Dimitar Glavchev. The Chaira Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant has been out of operation since March 2022.

Once the tests are successfully completed, the facility is expected to resume operation in early 2025. The restoration of the third hydro unit is yet to come, and a procedure has been announced for the complete replacement of hydro units 1 and 4. Experts expect that when the Chaira Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant is integrated into the energy system, it will ensure balance alongside the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant.  

Bulgaria loses significant amount of money each year due to the forced shutdown of the Chaira Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant. Experts estimate that the repair of the four malfunctioning units will cost up to EUR 100 million. The restoration work will continue for several years, with the assistance of Japanese specialists, representatives of "Toshiba", which was involved in the construction of the power plant.

• The state will guarantee a 79 million euro loan for the restoration of Chaira Hydro Power Plant

• A turbine at the Chaira Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant suffers major failure