BRIKEL RE POWER

TECHNICAL RESTART

The mandatory survey before a major step related to Brikel’s energy transformation required renovation of the plant’s key facilities. After this pre-start period divided into 3 stages, the first power plant built in Maritsa basin gets a chance for its new history.

1st stage – survey, pre-project and project phase – completed in April 2022

2nd stage – in 2022 we started the largest-scale overhaul of the fuel plant aimed at improving the quality of the plant’s operation

The 3rd stage is dedicated to the reconstruction of the last 2 steam generators, which are in reserve and can replace the ones already renovated, if necessary. The plans provide for completing the rehabilitation of steam generator No. 4 by the end of October 2023, and of steam generator No. 3 by the end of the calendar year.

These are repairs that restart the production facilities of the enterprise. The investment of just over EUR 30 million was implemented with full self-financing, without any financial support from the government or the European budget.

In parallel, the construction of a second flue gas treatment system began in order to achieve the required air quality according to the EU law.

At this stage, the ignition is fuel oil, and we plan to replace the fuel oil with natural gas in the future.

Stages 2 and 3 will enable the smooth operation of the plant during the active season. Brikel’s Action Plan will be completed within December 2023/January 2024, when the renovation of the last steam generator will be accomplished. The complete change will give us the potential for a new page in our history – one that will be related to the implementation of our goals for clean and sustainable production.

This underlies the transformation

1. We were the only ones in Maritsa East Complex to successfully integrate biomass into our fuel mix. Needless to say, by substituting, even partially, for biomass, which has a zero carbon footprint, we have already taken a step in the direction of greener and cleaner production.

2. We have started negotiations with General Electric for the purchase of three gas turbines. The plans are in the next 3 years to stop the use of coal for the combustion process in the plant. There is no gas route built to the three plants – Maritsa East 2 TPP, AES Galabovo TPP and ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3 TPP. That is why we are negotiating with Bulgartransgaz and ICGB. We are also negotiating with General Electric to assist us in building the gas pipeline, which will have a sufficient flow rate for the other plants as well. For the successful implementation of the investment plan, it is necessary to complete the gas connection between the national transmission network and the company, which is about 30 km long.

Hristo Kovacki, Sustainability Transformation Lead for the BRIKEL RE POWER program:

THE TRANSFORMATION OF BULGARIAN ENERGY – A MATTER OF TIME AND CONFIDENCE

Brikel’s management team, led by the CEO, is responsible for making decisions regarding the future of the enterprise to its shareholders, the Board of Directors, the employees and the public in general. Back in time, a task force was set up assigned with the task of researching and finding the optimal solution for the green transformation. My personal belief both 10 years ago and now is that a sustainable future may be built on solid foundations and with a diversification of the fuel mix in mind.

Today they are taking this very important step, because the large-scale overhaul is nothing but confidence that they will be standing on very solid foundations to build their future sustainably.

I believe that this step is late, but also that it is the result of the maturity reached to make such a decision. I realize that without the strategic framework of the state, which outlines a clear plan for energy transformation in general, the process would be twice as complicated.

From my position as a physicist, doctor of sciences and a person who knows the technical capacities and perspectives – the solutions are more than drawn. However, they involve huge investments that seem more than risky in an uncertain environment. I believe that the departmental institutions can facilitate the transformation process which will bring in more predictability.

Bulgaria has experts, expertise and accumulated European experience to make the transition happen. A matter of time and confidence.