site.btaSoutheastern Europe's Largest Electricity Storage Facility to Be Operational Again After Repairs

Bulgaria's Energy Ministry Wednesday signed repair and rehabilitation agreements with Japan's Toshiba and Austria's ABB/Voith alliance for Hydro Units 1 and 3 of the Chaira pumped-storage hydropower plant in Southwestern Bulgaria, the Ministry said. The signing ceremony was attended by Japanese Ambassador Hisashi Michigami and Philippe Kupfer, Commercial Counsellor at the Austrian Embassy.

Malinov said: "The largest battery in Southeastern Europe will be back into operation. This is one of the government's key energy priorities, and today we are taking a significant step toward its implementation. I am pleased that our efforts to put this unique facility back into operation are supported by companies with undeniable expertise, knowledge and experience - Toshiba and the ABB/Voith alliance.

Toshiba, the manufacturer of the plant's original equipment, will repair Hydro Unit 1, and ABB-Voith will repair Hydro Unit 3.

Malinov said the operation of the Chaira hydropower plant is key to energy security and to achieving a better balanced electricity system and successful integration of the growing renewable energy generation in the region.

Bulgaria has abundant water resources and using them to a full extent will ensure predictability and sustainable energy solutions. Cooperation with Toshiba and the ABB/Voith alliance, which have unquestionable expertise and experience, is a key step in this direction, the Energy Minister said. In his words, thanks to this cooperation, three of the plant's four units will be operational again in early 2026, providing more than 600 MW of stored electricity to Bulgarian customers.

Ambassador Michigami thanked Malinov for the active efforts in deepening bilateral relations following his visit to Japan in the autumn of 2024. He stressed his satisfaction with the revitalizing of business relations between the two countries, exemplified by Toshiba's involvement in the repair and rehabilitation of Hydro Unit 1.

Malinov called on Japanese and Austrian companies to participate actively in Bulgaria's future energy projects, which will contribute to the deepening of relations, and pledged his Ministry's support.