Online Newsletter
Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest news and information from publics.bg

News

From Bulgaria

04.06.2012 12:46

Private Investor Might Acquire Bulgarian Nuclear Project Belene

According to Bogomil Mancehv from the Bulgarian Atomic Forum the Belene nuclear station project has commercial value because it can be picked up immediately and has all required permits

AUTHOR: publics.bg

© Belene NPP

A private investor is likely to acquire the planned nuclear power station at Belene Bulgaria by the end of the year and thus take over paying off all the debts to the Russian construction and equipment contractor Atomstroyexport, Bogomil Mancehv from the Bulgarian Atomic Forum (Bulatom) said, as reported by BNR. Manchev, who is also CEO of consultancy company Risk Engineering, selling the project to a private investor would free Bulgaria from the penalties it has to pay to Russia for the delayed and then cancelled project.

Manchev did not name any precise company, but said that this is not a hypothesis, but an actual likely outcome of the Belene saga.

He added that the Belene nuclear station project has commercial value because it can be picked up immediately and has all required permits. If an investor acquires Belene, the company will have to sign contracts with the National Electricity Company (NEK) which owns the project and with Russia’s Atomstroyexport which holds the rights on the technology used.

Manchev expressed his belief that a new unit in Bulgaria’s currently sole nuclear station Kozloduy could become reality no earlier than 2022. The new 7th unit at Kozloduy is envisaged to use the reactor meant for Belene.