The four-year project of the rehabilitation of the Sandanska Bistritsa cascade was finished Friday. Czech company "Energo-Pro" invested EUR 5,5 M in the cascade, which is the biggest of the three cascades the company owns in Bulgaria. The project was financed both from local sources and the Czech Export Bank and EGAP guarantee insurance company. Representatives of the Bulgarian state institutions and a 15-member delegation including experts from the banking sector and journalists attended the opening ceremony.

Sandanska Bistritsa cascade unites three water power plants - Popina Luka, Lilianovo and Sandanski are situated along the Sandanska Bistritsa river. The rehabilitation of the cascade was launched in December 2002 after the privatisation of the plants by "Energo-Pro Bulgaria".

Leading Czech and Bulgarian suppliers joined the modernization process. The hydro automatic systems of the turbine equipment along with the mechanic equipping have been renewed. The electric and the control systems of the centrals have also been modernized.

The "Energo-Pro Bulgaria" project improves the opportunities for more flexible produce and offers additional services on the electricity market in the country. That would be possible through efficient use of water recourses and complete automation of the technical control.

"Energo-Pro Bulgaria" is part of the Energo-Pro Group based in the Czech Republic, which specializes in electricity produce from renewable sources. The company operates in Bulgaria, Turkey and the Czech Republic. It is also exploring the opportunities for investments in others countries of Southeast Europe.