NEC terminated the public procurement for the repair of hydro units of PAVETS "Chaira"

Second unsuccessful attempt to repair parts of the damaged PAVETS "Chaira". In another public procurement, with which the hydro units were supposed to be restored, no company submitted an offer, it is clear from the register of the Public Procurement Agency.

The deadline for submission of applications for participation was until November 15, but no interest was shown in the set parameters. This will delay the return to operation of the two hydro units of the damaged plant, Dir.bg reported.

In the last public procurement, it was about Hydroaggregate 1 (X1) and Hydroaggregate 4 (X4), the equipment of which must be completely replaced. The price of the order was 220.5 million. leva, which could be applied for within two months.

The tender for ХА1 and ХА2 was launched after the unsuccessful one for the repair of hydro unit 4, in which no company wanted to participate either. In order to make the order more attractive to future participants, NEC decided to launch a larger one, which would be for both hydro units.

At its meeting yesterday, the National Electric Company (NEC) decided to terminate the order. Next steps are currently being considered.

Currently, NEC has state financing guarantees of 80 million. BGN for the repair of PAVETS "Chaira", and it is planned to add another 75 million to the sum for next year. BGN, as the caretaker government decided in October.

PAVETS "Chaira" has been out of operation since March 2022, after it had a serious accident during a test load of a repaired unit. The other, which was ready for launch, was not released due to security measures until the investigation into the incident was completed. It was determined that the cause of the accident was heavy depreciation of key equipment from the hydro unit, metal fatigue and excessive operation. The other two of the total four hydro units - each with 216 MW power, were not working, due to the need for rehabilitation.

The PAVEC is the largest pumped-storage hydropower plant in South-Eastern Europe and has a key role in the security and balancing of the electricity system.