Power Plants in Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Powering Bulgaria with Reliable and Sustainable Energy Solutions
All types
Mixed Technology
Bulgaria
1,483 MW
ContourGlobal is accelerating its strategy to become a predominantly renewable energy producer by 2030, with the Maritsa East 3 Thermal Power Plant site playing a central role in this transition. The scenario we are currently advancing involves the temporary use the existing grid infrastructure that previously served Units 1 and 2 to fast-track new clean energy projects within the ME3 TPP complex.
1,483
1,483
MW
of capacity
7
7
Assets
Photogallery
Discover Our Assets in Europe
Country
Cluster
Asset
From Coal to Renewables
Maritsa East 3, historically a lignite-fired coal plant composed of four units of 227 MW gross capacity each, has long played a strategic role in Bulgaria’s energy system, supporting both domestic supply and exports. ContourGlobal holds a 73% ownership stake in the plant, with the remaining 27% owned by the Bulgarian National Electric Company (NEK).
After the long-term power purchase agreement with NEK expired in February 2024, coal-fired operations were significantly reduced due to market conditions. In alignment with Bulgaria’s energy transition goals, ContourGlobal is reallocating the grid access of Units 1 and 2 to enable the rapid development of clean energy solutions. The most advanced of these is a 200 MW / 500 MWh stand-alone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), currently under construction through the Bulgarian Government’s RESTORE program. Once operational, it will be one of the largest BESS installations in both Bulgaria and the European Union.
How we work with our neighbors in Bulgaria
In partnership with the municipal authorities, we are supporting services throughout the community. Projects and services include:
- Local disabled people group
- Youth sports clubs
- Mentally disabled service
- Foster care
- Local cultural house
Our Head of Bulgaria
VASSIL SHTONOV
Vassil joined ContourGobal in 2023 to lead the company’s operations in Bulgaria and drive its efforts to support the energy transition in the country. With a strong background in management consulting, Vassil brings extensive experience, analytical skills and leadership from previous prominent positions at McKinsey & Company, where he worked with energy and financial sector clients, as well as from KPMG and Bear Sterns. His career blends investment banking, venture financing and consulting for financial institutions with public-sector roles, including policy-making at the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy and Economy and serving on the Supervisory Board of the Bulgarian Development Bank.
He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and holds an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
News
Jul 03, 2025
Contourglobal acquires energy storage projects in Italy ahead of Macse Auctions
• ContourGlobal acquires 1.6 GW of BESS projects in Italy […]
Jun 13, 2025
ContourGlobal Recognized at the 2025 Sustainability Delivery Awards
ContourGlobal has was selected for the “Highly Commended” recognition at […]
Mar 13, 2025
Renewable energy: ContourGlobal and A2A sign a PPA for solar power
•Repowering of existing plants increases green energy production without additional […]
Mar 04, 2025
ContourGlobal becomes the First Private IPP to Join Proteus Partnership
ContourGlobal has strengthened its commitment to environmental stewardship by becoming […]
Feb 06, 2025
ContourGlobal successfully closes offering of green bonds, supporting its sustainability-driven transition
• Successful issuance of €500 million in aggregate principal amount of […]
Nov 19, 2024
ContourGlobal celebrates a decade of wind energy milestones across three continents
• A decade ago,ContourGlobal’s Talara and Cupisnique wind farms in […]
Jun 03, 2024
ContourGlobal implements major upgrade to its Italian Solar PV Fleet
We are happy to announce that a major upgrade of […]
Aug 03, 2017
ADDITIONAL ~20MW OF OPERATING SOLAR PLANTS IN ITALY
ContourGlobal adds ~20MW of operating solar plants in Italy to […]
Dec 08, 2015
LONG-TERM FINANCING AGREEMENT FOR ITALIAN SOLAR PV
ContourGlobal and UBI Banca Sign Third Consecutive Long-Term Financing Agreement […]
Oct 27, 2014
AGREEMENT FOR ~201 MW OF RENEWABLE ENERGY BUSINESSES IN AUSTRIA
Significant Acquisition adds to ContourGlobal’s Growing Wind and Solar Operating […]