Lovech based company Velga has started the construction of a wind energy park near Somovit. The initial investment will be two million euro. The total site will feature 48 massive wind generators, each producing 2.5 megawatts of energy at a cost of 171 million euro.

The project was started two years ago and already there are three generators in operation. The fourth generator will be installed within a month and will be the largest of its kind in the country, producing a total of 2.5 megawatts per hour

The generator is imported from Germany. The height of its tower is 80 metres. The generator is capable of producing maximum capacity of energy at just 12 m/sec sustained winds, whereas productivity begins at 3.5 m/sec. According to Lazarin Dochev, the owner of Velga, the main investor in the wind park, investment in the fourth generator alone will reach 3.2 million euro, whereas the combined productivity of all four generators in Somovit will exceed 4.350 megawatts per hour of electricity.

The value of the electric output produced in Bulgaria is delegated annually by the National Commission of Energy and Water Regulation (NGEWR), said Dochev, as quoted by Stroitelstvo Gradut.

This is done in order to stimulate the construction of modern facilities capable of producing wind energy. To make this happen it's important to select an appropriate site for the construction of the turbines – "the winds must be enough to sustain the production of profitable energy. So every year NGEWR conducts meticulous research and survey of areas across Bulgaria to find ones suitable for the task," said Dochev.

The wind park in Somovit initially aimed to reach a total capacity of 120 megawatts – without the already constructed generators. Velga are confident that they will complete the entire park with all its auxiliary facilities within four years – a total of 48 generators, 2.5 megawatts each with a total value of 171 million euro.

Velga has helped finance the project with bank loans as well as projects financed under European Union programmes. According to Dochev, the company is currently expecting to receive its accreditation Class A, as well as grants under the EU programme for energy effectiveness to help the company repay its bank credits.

According to Tsvetko Tsvetanov, municipal leader of Pleven, it is vital for the Bulgarian economy to invest, modernise and develop its energy industry, and help divert the sector away from fossil fuels. Some of the main priorities are the construction of the nuclear power plant in Belene, the development of the wind turbine sector as well as energy produced by sun panels, such as the one to be built near Pleven by 2013. "We are working hard in two important spheres – investment and construction of wind parks and massive sun-panel facilities. Wind and solar energy are the only sources of energy that are totally emission free and do not harm the environment in any way," he said.