Russia Anticipates Re-launch of Bulgaria Nuclear Plant

Energy | September 27, 2010, Monday // 10:18|  views

The site of NPP Belene in Northern Bulgaria. The project started as early as 1981, but since then little has been done. Bulgaria is now loking for a new investor and funds to complete the project. Photo by BGNES.

Russia has expectations that Bulgaria will renew the construction of its second Nuclear Power Plant in the Danube town of Belene, the Russian news agency ITAR-TASS informs Monday.

The agency cites the Director of the Russian State Nuclear Energy Corporation "Rosatom," Sergey Kirienko, who is accompanying President, Dmitry Medvedev, on his official trip to China.

Kirienko reminded Bulgaria has plans to build a 2nd NPP, adding Russia hopes to coordinate and finalize plans by the end of the year.

Last week Bulgarian Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, after meeting his Chinese counterpart, Wen Jiabao and 11 ministers from the Chinese cabinet at the UN headquarters in New York City, stated the potential investment of greatest interest for China are nuclear power plants (NPP).

In Borisov's words, the Chinese ministers were especially interested in the project for the second Bulgarian NPP at Belene. However, they have insisted that any such investment be made with Chinese technology, while under the current contracts, the Belene plant is supposed to be built by the Russian company Atomstroyexport, with two VVER-1000 reactors.

Up until now, the only scenario in which Chinese companies were rumored to be able to take part in the Belene NPP project, was by backing a small-scale investment of the Serbian government in the plant. Serbia has expressed interest in the NPP, especially after recent talks between Borisov and Serbian President, Boris Tadic.

In the spring, the Russian government offered Bulgaria a state loan of EUR 2 B in order to keep the construction going until Bulgaria finds an investor. Borisov, however, made it clear on several occasions that Bulgaria will not construct the new plant unless it finds a strategic investor from Western Europe. The July report of Borisov's ruling, center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party for the first year of their term listed among the cabinet's top priorities finding a strategic investor for the Belene NPP.

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Tags: Belene NPP, Belene Nuclear Power Plant, Belene, Sergey Kirienko, Rosatom, Vladimir Putin, Boyko Borisov, GERB, Traicho Traikov, Boris Tadic, Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister, People's Republic of China, NPP, Atomstroyexport

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