Belene NPP Deal Signed in Bulgaria, Reactor Closure to Happen

Sofiaecho.com, 29th November 2006

On November 29 the National Electric Company (NEC) and Russia's Atomstroyexport will sign an agreement for the construction of Belene nuclear power plant (NPP).

NEC selected on October 30 Atomstroyexport as the project executor. Bulgaria received two offers for the project, one from the Russian company and one from the Czech Skoda Allianz.

The project envisions the construction of two 1000 megawatt units, Focus news agency reported.

Construction of the Belene power plant became even more necessary because of Bulgaria's commitment to shut down two units of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant. The reactor closure resulted from EU entry requirements.

Economy and Energy Minister Roumen Ovcharov said that Bulgaria already accepted the commitment and could not change it any longer.

Recently the European Parliament recommended flexible approach to the closure date. It suggested an eight-month delay for the re-assessment of the reactors.

Ovcharov said that through its commitment Bulgaria was going to send a political signal and had to be careful.




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