Bulgarian Energy Commission Chairman: No Problems Expected Concerning EC Approval of NEC Loan

The Chairman of the Energy Commission in Parliament Delyan Dobrev does not expect any problems to arise concerning the necessary approval of the European Commission for the granting of state aid to the National Electric Company (NEC)

Bulgaria is preparing to grant an interest-free loan to NEC. NEC will use it to pay Atomstroyexport for the equipment ordered for the Belene plant.

Dobrev commented on BNR that it is important for the payment to be made as soon as possible. He described the option of Belene being constructed by the state as absurd since the country cannot afford the investment.

“What we are interested in is for this procedure to be carried out as quickly as possible. It can be carried out in a few months or in a few weeks. The idea is to carry it out in a few weeks so that no interest is accumulated,” stated Dobrev.

He repeated the thesis that there is a possibility for a privatisation procedure to be launched and investor interest will show whether the project for a nuclear power plant is viable. “As of there on, the idea of BSP and ABV to restart the project in the same form as before is absurd. And I am certain that if they were in government, they would not restart it. Our country cannot afford to find BGN 20 B from somewhere and invest it,” stated Dobrev.

The Chairman of the parliamentary energy commission expects the draft bill for the granting of a loan to NEC to be finally approved in Parliament as early as next Wednesday.

He assured that NEC’s payment will not affect the price of electricity in the future and pointed out that with the full liberalisation of the energy market NEC will lose its position as public supplier and prices will be determined by the market.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!