Boyana HPP is not only the oldest fully functioning asset

Boyana HPP is not only the oldest fully functioning asset of the National Electricity Company, but also one of the first hydroelectric plants in the country, especially when we talk about plants for public use. At first, people regarded electricity with incredible mistrust. Today, this plant is a wealth for NEC and all colleagues – former and present, although there are no former energy workers. This was said by the Minister of Energy, Rumen Radev, in his welcome on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the commissioning of one of the oldest hydroelectric power plants in Bulgaria - the Boyana HPP in the district of the same name in Sofia. The event was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Energy Nikolay Nikolov, the Executive Director of NEC Eng. Martin Georgiev, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of BEH Prof. Veselina Buchkova, Prof. Valentin Kolev, Chairman of the Bulgarian Branch Chamber of Energy Engineers, the head of the political office of the Minister of Energy Karina Angelieva, veterans and employees from the plant and NEC. The guests toured the engine room and control rooms of the hydroelectric plant, got acquainted with the dispatchers` archive books dating back to the 1930s, the communication systems and the turbines manufactured in 1918. The plant not only continues to operate without accidents with the authentic its equipment, but also makes its contribution to the energy system of the capital with the production of ecologically clean electricity without a carbon footprint. In his welcoming words, Engineer Martin Georgiev outlined the historical stages of the plant`s development and its importance for the capital. Her launch was a remarkable achievement and she continues to function flawlessly to this day with many of her original parts. The executive director of NEC congratulated the energy workers for their efforts and care to keep the facilities in working order and presented the head of the Sofia power plants cascade, Anton Konyarski, with an honorary plaque for the anniversary. The construction of the Boyana Hydroelectric Plant began in 1892, and over the years its history has gone through many ups and downs. After the Liberation of Bulgaria, the first investment projects for a European appearance of the country and its new capital, including for electrification and the introduction of electric transport, made their way. After a number of financial, technical and historical troubles, on December 13, 1923, the " Boyana " HPP entered regular operation under the Directorate of Trams and Lighting of the Metropolitan Municipality. On the day of the opening, Tsar Boris III and the Mayor of Sofia, Ivan Ploshakov, were present. The plant, which is derivational and fed by the Boyanska River, has two turbines, and its installed capacity is 1.24 MW. Its average annual production amounts to 1.8 GWh. This is the oldest hydroelectric power plant in the NEC system.