site.btaUPDATED Energy Minister: Resumption of Operation of Chaira Power Plant Is a Priority

The resumption of operation of the Chaira pumped storage hydroelectric power plant is a priority, said Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov at a briefing at the Council of Ministers on Wednesday.

"Two contracts were signed Wednesday morning at the Energy Ministry, namely the contract for the rehabilitation of Hydro Unit 1 with the Japanese company Toshiba, and the contract for the repair and rehabilitation of Hydro Unit 3 by a consortium with two Austrian companies, ABB-Voith," the Minister said.

He described the plant as "the largest water battery in Southeastern Europe" and recalled that the facility's Hydro Unit 2 resumed operation at the end of December last year.

Minister Malinov underlined the importance of Chaira for balancing the Bulgarian electricity transmission system, for the security of electricity supply and for the possibility of continued growth of renewable energy sources.

Asked to comment on the claim of the Bulgarian Petroleum and Gas Association that there is a risk of fuel shortages at gas stations, Malinov assured that the Energy Ministry is aware of the case. He said that draft amendments to the Renewable Energy Act have been prepared and will be put to public discussion. "We are ready, we know about the problem and are working on it," Malinov said. "Our proposal is based on a risk analysis of the content of so-called bioethers in fuels. The analysis will be published next week so that it can be submitted to the National Assembly as soon as possible," he explained.