On May 18, 2018, a contract was signed between the State Electricity Company (NEK) of Bulgaria and a consortium formed by the Czech company ČKD Blansko and the Croatian company Končar for the renewal of hydroelectric power plants at a strategic cascade in the Rila Mountains (Belmeken, Sestrimo and Momina Klisura). Cascade is an important part of the Bulgarian hydropower electricity production, with a total installed capacity of 1455 MW. The aim of the project is to increase the security of electricity supply and the reliability of the operation of these three hydropower plants. The tendering for work and equipment supply amounts to approximately € 20 million. For its implementation, ČKD Blansko invited Croatian companies Končar KET (each company will implement approximately half of this amount, while Končar will supply modern equipment for controlling the operation of hydroelectric power plants and ČKD Blansko, as a well-known producer of water turbines with a great tradition, to supply the relevant hardware). The project is largely funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) from the so-called NP Kozloduj Fund (an international fund that finances projects in the Bulgarian energy sector to compensate for the closure of 4 Kozloduy nuclear reactors before Bulgaria joins the EU). The signing of the contract was attended by Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Bulgaria Mr. Dušan Štrauch and Croatian Ambassador to Bulgaria Mrs. Ljerka Alajbeg. This is a high quality joint project of two companies from the "new" EU member states and this consortium has defeated 4 other important candidates in the competition for this big public procurement order.