Important Planned Shutdown at the Aleko HPP Area Near Peshtera

The National Electric Company has notified the Peshtera Municipality about planned repair works on the hydromechanical facilities of the Upper Regulator “Aleko.” Work began on October 5 and is expected to continue until November 3, 2026, during which time the Aleko HPP will be fully shut down and water supply for irrigation in part of the area will be temporarily interrupted.

The Peshtera Municipality informs water users that during the repair period there will be no irrigation water supplied to Peshtera – from the II window, and to the village of Radilovo – from the IV window. Water users are urged to adjust their activities to the temporary interruption.

The Aleko Complex is part of the Batashki Water and Oil Road cascade, which includes the “Golyam Beglik” and “Batak” reservoirs, as well as the Batak HPP, Peshtera HPP, and Aleko HPP. According to NEK, the Aleko HPP is a derivation plant with three turbines and an installed capacity of 71.4 MW, and its annual production is about 147 GWh. The Upper Regulator “Aleko” regulates water quantities before their entry to the Aleko HPP and has a volume of about 170,000 cubic meters.

The repair will affect not only electricity production but also the water supply regime to local water users. Such interruptions are necessary for safely taking the facilities out of operation during technical works. Similar planned shutdowns have been recorded in the area in the past, with the Peshtera Municipality informing water users in 2025 about water supply interruptions from the II and IV windows during NEK planned activities and the shutdown of the Peshtera HPP and Aleko HPP.

For the current repair, the period is specified until November 3, 2026, and until its completion water users in the affected sections must comply with the temporary water supply interruption. The Peshtera Municipality published the notice to irrigation water consumers on October 7, 2026.

Source: marica.bg