A consortium comprising Croatia’s Končar KET and Czech ČKD Blansko Holding has signed a contract to refurbish the 14 MW hydropower plant (HPP) Vacha-1, the accompanying 110 kV switchyard, and other auxiliary systems at the HPP, in cooperation with the Bulgarian state power utility Natsionalna Elektricheska Kompania (NEK EAD), Končar KET has said in a press release.

The company did not reveal the value of the contract, which is part of a project to rehabilitate the Belmeken – Sestrimo – Chaira hydropower complex, HPP Vacha-1 110 kV switchyard, and other HPP systems. The value of the entire project is EUR 37 million, according to Novinite.

However, Končar KET said in the press release that the HPP Vacha-1 refurbishment is not the first HPP project contracted with NEK EAD. Contracts for the refurbishment of HPPs Belmeken, Sestrimo, and Momina Klisura are ongoing, it said.

The project completion is scheduled for the end of 2020.