Rezolv Energy has begun construction on the 225 MW St. George solar park in northeastern Bulgaria, transforming an abandoned airport into a renewable energy hub. Equipped with nearly 400,000 bifacial panels, the project is set to contribute significantly to the growing Bulgaria solar energy industry.

Aiming for Connection in 2024

Rezolv Energy has begun construction on the St. George solar facility, a 225 MW park poised to become one of the largest photovoltaic plants in Bulgaria and the wider Balkan region.

Located on the site of the former Silistra airport near the village of Polkovnik Lambrinovo, this ambitious project is transforming 165 hectares of unused brownfield land into a vital renewable energy hub.

Prague-based Rezolv Energy acquired the project from YGY Industries last year and has moved swiftly to bring it to life. A recent groundbreaking ceremony marks a key step in adding clean energy to Bulgaria’s national grid.

Scheduled for grid connection next year, the St. George solar park is expected to generate an average of 313 GWh annually. Its strategic location near the Romania-Bulgaria border will also strengthen the country’s energy network in the northeastern region. While other projects have since surpassed its scale, St. George was initially planned as the largest solar installation in Bulgaria.

Partner Companies Bring International Expertise

A consortium of experienced contractors is managing the construction of the St. George solar park. Bulgaria-based Solarpro Holding and China’s CMC Europe are the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors, while another Bulgarian company, Green Solar Energy, is handling the high-voltage work at the site.

Rezolv Energy has opted for bifacial crystalline silicon solar panels. These advanced modules capture sunlight from both sides, increasing efficiency and energy output. According to project documentation, the solar park’s capacity was initially designed for 229 MW, with two primary segments of 99.5 MW each connecting to the grid.

Electricity from the St. George solar park will be sold to commercial and industrial customers through long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs). Rezolv Energy recently signed a 12-year PPA with Ardagh Glass Packaging-Europe to supply 110 GWh annually starting in April 2026. This will power the company’s European glass manufacturing operations.

Rezolv Energy’s virtual PPA with Ardagh is one of the first of its kind in Bulgaria, signaling a new trend in the country’s renewable energy market. These agreements offer flexibility, allowing companies to offset their energy needs with renewable sources without requiring direct physical delivery.

Securing Funding for the St. George Solar Park

Rezolv Energy secured up to EUR 90 million in debt financing for the St. George project from international lenders, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Raiffeisen Bank International—two key players in sustainable finance.

Rezolv Energy’s main shareholder, the sustainable infrastructure investment firm Actis, recently announced its acquisition by private equity firm General Atlantic. This transition reflects growing investor interest in sustainable infrastructure, while the St. George project highlights Actis’s commitment to expanding renewable energy in the Balkans and beyond.

The St. George solar park represents a significant step forward for Bulgaria’s renewable energy sector. By converting a brownfield site into a high-capacity solar facility, the project serves as a prime example of how innovative development can drive clean energy production and stimulate local economies. As it prepares for grid connection next year, St. George is a tangible step toward a more sustainable future.

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JA Solar and Solarpro are developing a 240MW solar plant in Bulgaria, a landmark project set to advance renewable energy across Europe. This initiative will significantly enhance the country’s renewable capacity while supporting the EU’s ambitious green energy goals.

Boosting Renewable Energy Capacity

In a significant move for Europe’s renewable energy sector, JA Solar is partnering with Solarpro to construct a 240MW solar power plant in Tenevo, Bulgaria. This major collaboration is a crucial step in bolstering the country’s renewable energy capacity, directly aligning with the European Union’s broader green energy objectives.

The new 240MW plant will significantly boost Bulgaria’s renewable energy efforts.

The solar power plant will feature high-efficiency TOPCon modules from JA Solar’s DeepBlue 4.0 Pro line. These modules are known for their superior performance and reliability, making them ideal for large-scale energy projects of this nature.

As a prominent European EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contractor, Solarpro will oversee the entire project lifecycle. Their responsibilities cover everything from design and implementation to continuous monitoring, ensuring the plant achieves optimal performance.

The project is financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), an institution dedicated to sustainable development via investments that support a low-carbon transition. The EBRD’s involvement provides crucial financial backing and underscores the project’s alignment with broader European environmental goals.

Strategic Importance and Impact

Installation of the solar modules is set to begin in Q3 2024, with the plant expected to connect to the grid and become fully operational by the end of Q2 2025. This swift timeline highlights the urgent need to expand renewable energy infrastructure and reduce the region’s dependency on fossil fuels.

Upon completion, the Tenevo solar power plant will be one of the largest in the region. The facility is expected to significantly enhance Bulgaria’s renewable energy capacity and help meet national and regional clean energy targets. It will also play a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Krasen Mateev, CEO of Solarpro, commented on the partnership: “We are thrilled to partner with JA Solar on this impactful project. This strategic cooperation exemplifies Solarpro’s commitment to delivering innovative and sustainable energy solutions that drive the transition to a greener future in Bulgaria and beyond.”

Aiqing Yang, Executive President of JA Solar, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the collaboration’s importance. “We’re excited to work with Solarpro on this significant project to bring our most advanced products to the country. This cooperation represents a major step forward in our mission to promote renewable energy development in Bulgaria. Building on this partnership, we look forward to further promoting sustainable energy development in Europe with our partners through our dedicated services and advanced products,” said Yang.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

The advantages of JA Solar’s DeepBlue 4.0 Pro modules are clear: they incorporate advanced TOPCon technology, known for high conversion efficiency and excellent performance under various environmental conditions. This technology is crucial for maximizing energy output and ensuring the solar plant’s long-term viability.

The Tenevo solar power plant will bring significant economic and environmental benefits to the region. Economically, the project will create jobs and stimulate local industries during its construction and operational phases. By increasing the share of renewables in Bulgaria’s energy mix, it will also help stabilize energy prices and reduce the country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.

On the environmental front, the project will contribute to a major reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, aligning with the EU’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The clean energy produced will displace electricity generated from fossil fuels, leading to less air pollution and improved public health.

This collaboration underscores the vital role of strategic partnerships and technological innovation in the global transition to sustainable energy. By leveraging their respective strengths, JA Solar and Solarpro are helping build a greener, more sustainable future for Bulgaria and the wider European community.

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