ClimatePartner logo
Sustainable hydropower for more clean electricity in Bulgaria
Bulgaria, Katuntsi
ClimatePartner ID: 1013
HydropowerGet to know the project

VEC Energy Ltd. operates a small hydroelectric power plant with a capacity of 3.4 MW in proximity of the village Katuntsi in Southwestern Bulgaria, at the foot of the Pirin Mountains. The region is one of Bulgaria’s richest in both forest and water resources. The aim of the project is to feed 12-14 GWh into the Bulgarian energy grid. This way, 84,131 tons of CO2 will be saved within a period of seven years. The power plant utilizes water of the existing Spanchevo irrigation canal. Additionally, a water reservoir of 3000m³ is available, so that even at times of high irrigation demand energy can be produced consistently and efficiently.

The generated power contributes to the expansion of the Bulgarian energy mix, which consists to date mainly of fossil fuel combustion and nuclear power. Due to its location apart from nature reserves and its use of existing infrastructure, the environmental impact by the project is minimal, nearby agricultural lands will not be affected.

12,018 t CO₂Estimated annual emissions reductions
Project Standard
The project contributes to the the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals
How hydropower contributes to climate action

Hydropower plants use the energy of water to generate electricity. The energy is harnessed by passing water through a turbine. Under the pressure of the water, the turbine turns and transfers this energy to a generator, which converts kinetic energy into electricity. This principle applies to all types of hydroelectric power plants: from small run-of-river power plants to pumped-storage power plants on bodies of water like lakes. In many parts of the world, electricity is still primarily generated from fossil fuels. Clean hydropower can replace some of this emission-intensive energy and thus verifiably save carbon emissions. In most hydropower projects, the electricity is fed into a regional power grid, diversifying the energy supply and improving energy security in areas affected by power shortages and blackouts. Often, these projects also create jobs for the local population. Hydropower projects thus make an important contribution to clean energy supply as well as contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hydopower projects in the ClimatePartner portfolio are registered with international standards.

The project aims to contribute to these United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Project facts

Climate projects generally fall into one of three groups: carbon reduction, carbon removal, or carbon avoidance. Carbon reduction projects reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by a specific activity (e.g., improved cookstoves). Carbon removal projects remove carbon from the atmosphere by sequestering it in carbon sinks (e.g., reforestation). Carbon avoidance projects avoid greenhouse gas emissions entering the atmosphere (e.g., protecting forests from deforestation with REDD+ projects).

Climate projects demonstrably reduce, remove, or avoid greenhouse gas emissions. This is achieved with various technologies, ranging from nature-based solutions to social impact projects and renewable energies.

Climate projects go through third-party validation and verification. Verification happens regularly after each monitoring period. A validation and verification body checks and assesses whether the values and project activities stated in the monitoring report are correct and verifies them. As with validation, visits to the project site are often part of the process.

This figure shows the estimated annual emission reductions calculated before the project started. The actual number of emissions saved in each monitoring period may differ. The background to this process is that in order to be registered as a climate project, the project operator must submit the calculation of the estimated emissions savings using the ex-ante methodology in a Project Design Document (PDD), which is similar to a business plan. This calculation is validated by an independent auditor. The values determined in the PDD are recalculated during regular monitoring periods based on actual project performance, documented in a monitoring report, and verified again by independent auditors at the end of the monitoring period to ensure a robust process. Independent verification thus provides ex-post verification of actual emission reductions. Verified emission reductions are not distributed until the savings have actually been made.
ClimatePartner logo© 2025 ClimatePartner GmbH
Follow us
InstagramNewsletterLinkedin