Independent power producer Rezolv Energy has officially launched operations at the St. George solar power plant in northeastern Bulgaria, marking the commissioning of one of the country’s largest photovoltaic facilities to date.
Located near Silistra, the project has an installed capacity of 225 MW and was developed on the site of the former Silistra airport, converting a previously unused brownfield area into a major renewable energy hub. The plant is expected to operate for at least 30 years, contributing long-term clean electricity generation to the Bulgarian power system.
The total investment in the project amounts to approximately 255 million euros, with expected annual electricity production of around 313 GWh. A significant share of the output is already secured under a long-term agreement with Ardagh Glass Packaging Europe, through a 12-year virtual power purchase agreement, which covers nearly one-third of the plant’s total generation.
In addition to solar generation capacity, the project includes a substantial battery storage system of 90 MW / 240 MWh, designed to enhance grid flexibility and support system stability. The storage component received financial backing through the EU-supported NextGenerationEU program.
Further financing for the project was provided through 90 million euros in debt funding, arranged by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Raiffeisen Bank International, supporting both construction and integration into the national grid.
According to Rezolv Energy CEO Alastair Hammond, the commissioning of the St. George plant represents a key milestone for the company, as it transitions from project development into long-term renewable energy operations. He noted that the facility reached full commercial operation in less than three years after development rights were secured, highlighting the project’s execution speed.
The construction phase involved cooperation with local partners Solarpro and CMC Europe, while Green Solar Energy was responsible for high-voltage infrastructure and grid connection works, ensuring the plant’s integration into Bulgaria’s electricity transmission system.
