Lake Tsonevo near Varna was probably also drained by a private hydroelectric company

The largest artificial lake in Varna Area, which is also the sixth largest in Bulgaria, is at its lowest levels since 2002 – probably as a result of being drained in the interests of a private hydroelectric power station. This is evident from an analysis of the water levels and graphs following the use of the lake’s waters during the past few years – an analysis conducted by the regional website Moreto.net.

The latest official data in regards to the water levels of the lake (from December 2019) shows that Tsonevo is at only 44% of its full capacity (and at 39% of its effective capacity).

The water in the lake is currently at 144 million cubic metres  with a full capacity of 330 million cubic metres.

The Lake Tsonevo waters are used for industrial needs by factories in Devnya city, as well as for watering the agricultural land in Kamchiya valley during summer and fall. Part of the water is drained towards the river next to the lake in order to maintain the regular functions of the ecosystems in the riverbed. The amount of water needed for the above purposes is between 6 and 8 million cubic metres per month – 5 million for industrial purposes, and another 1-1.8 million drained towards the river.

Before being purposefully used, the water passes through the hydroelectric power station “Tsonevo” for generating power. There is nothing wrong so far.

This was the situation up until February 2016.

After February 2016 and going forward, according to the monthly graphs showing the usage of the lake’s waters, an extra amount of water was being directed towards “Tsonevo” power station, more than the amount necessary for the industry and the river.

This happened with the approval and signature of the minister of environment and water, as evident from the documents. At that time Ivelina Vasileva was occupying the minister position. She was the first one to approve this monthly graph dictating the usage of the lake’s waters. Later, an approval was granted by the current minister of environment and water – Neno Dimov.

As a result, a total of 267 million cubic metres of water were drained from Lake Tsonevo – 63 million in 2016, 94 million in 2017, 78 million in 2018, and 32 million in 2019.

In other words, if over the course of the last two years “Tsonevo” station had received only the water necessary for industrial needs and for the river, currently the lake would contain 254 instead of 144 million cubic metres of water, and the lake would be at its usual level of around 75% of its full capacity.