TPP AES Galabovo marks 10 years since the start of its commercial operations

June 3, 2021

Since the start of its operations, TPP AES Galabovo has generated over 30 000 000 MWh of reliable energy. Today, the most modern coal-fired power plant marks 10 years since the start of its commercial operations. The energy generated by TPP AES Galabovo for the period is equal approximately to the consumption of all households in Bulgaria for 2 years. This became clear from the analysis of the production results of the most high-tech coal-fired power plant in Bulgaria.

For these 10 years, TPP AES Galabovo has repeatedly proven its key importance for ensuring electricity supply in the country. In many situations, the most maneuverable coal-fired power plant in Bulgaria has played its critical role in maintaining the energy security of the national electricity grid.

The investment in TPP AES Galabovo, which is the only newly built power plant in the last 40 years in Bulgaria, amounts to BGN 2.6 billion. It provides jobs for nearly 4 500 directly and indirectly engaged people. The taxes, fees, and insurances paid to the state budget and the local treasuries for this period amount to BGN 800 million. TPP AES Galabovo also implements a large-scale CSR program for supporting important projects for the local community in the field of education, healthcare, sports and youth development, and infrastructure. The power plant’s budget for CSR for the last 10 years amounts to over BGN 14 million.

With its 690-megawatt capacity, TPP AES Galabovo not only provides electricity to satisfy consumption but also provides many system services to dispatch the grid. TPP AES Galabovo helps Bulgaria meet the requirements of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) for primary control reserve. TPP AES Galabovo works only with Bulgarian lignite coal mined at the Maritza East mines, using 5 million tons of coal per year, guaranteeing the employment of thousands of miners and the energy independence of Bulgaria.

As a result of the responsible attitude to the environment and the implemented advanced technologies, the power plant reaches an average annual desulphurization efficiency rate of over 97%. The plant is designed so that it cannot generate electricity without an operational flue gas desulphurization (FGD) system. The continuous operation of the FGD system ensures cleaner air and environmental protection.