A US$63.1M contract has been signed between VA Tech Hydro and Natsionalna Elektricheska Kompania EAD (NEK) for the refurbishment of the Dolna Arda hydro power project in Bulgaria.

The project involves the refurbishment of the three power plants of the Dolna Arda hydro scheme, which consists of Kardjali power plant (four machine sets with a total output of 106MW); Studen Kladenez power plant (four machine sets with a total output of 60MW); and Ivailovgrad power plant, which has three machine sets totalling 103.5MW.

In addition, Studen Kladenez’s capacity will be increased by an additional 16MW. The construction work for this part of the project will be carried out by PORR Technobau und Umwlet as a separate contract worth approximately US$22.2M.