The Bulgarian Central Energy Repair Base (CERB) is currently conducting critical repair work at Montenegro’s only coal-fired power plant in Pljevlja. With a capacity of 225 MW, the facility generates about one-third of the country’s electricity, making it an essential part of the national energy system.
As part of the project, CERB is performing a dynamic balance of a 40-ton low-pressure rotor using a mobile IRDBK 140 stand. However, since the plant lacks a railway track, the company is transporting rails from Sofia to Montenegro to install a railway line specifically for the mobile stand. In addition, specialists are measuring vibrations during the plant’s start-up process to ensure smooth operation. The combined weight of the rotor and rotating mechanisms exceeds 100 tons.
Stoyan Stoyanov, manager of CERB “Vibrohelt,” noted that this project demonstrates the increasing involvement of Bulgarian companies in complex international infrastructure projects.
The Pljevlja thermal power plant has been operational since 1982 and runs on locally sourced coal to maintain a stable electricity supply. Although Montenegro relies heavily on hydroelectric power, this plant remains a key part of the energy mix. It was originally designed with two 210 MW units, but only one was completed.
In 2019, a consortium led by China’s Dongfang Electric International Corp won a €60 million tender to reconstruct the facility.
CERB, established 76 years ago, specializes in the diagnostics, repair, and maintenance of electrical machinery and equipment. The company also operates Bulgaria’s only laboratory focused on vibration measurement.
