AES has been granted concession on "built, own, operate and transfer" (BOOT) basis for a 2 x 300 MW lignite-fired thermal Power Plant (ME1) at Galabovo / Maritza, South - East of Bulgaria.

Tekfen - Gama Partnership, TGO, has been awarded the civil works portion and the turbine/turbine steel construction erection of the turnkey project undertaken by the Consortium (TGO and Alstom Power Generation), the main contractor. The awarded portion of the Maritza East-1 Power Plant Project covers detailed engineering, procurement and construction works.

ME1 Power Plant Project represents a major step for private sector participation into the Bulgarian market, as it has become one of the country's largest foreign investments, to date.

The project, being Tekfen's first in the Balkans, will also be a pioneer scheme providing a strong "demonstration effect" on the environment with its improved technology that will lead Bulgaria to comply with EU standards. EBRD is among the main loan suppliers for the investment scheme.