01.12.2010
On November 30, 2010, in Sofia (Bulgaria) ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation, Natsionalna Elektricheska Kompania (NEK EAD, Bulgaria) and potential Investors of Belene NPP construction have signed the documents outlining perspectives of further project development.
ROSATOM State Corporation and NEK EAD have signed Memorandum on the Principles of Incorporation of Belene Power Company (BPC). This Project Company will be the successor of NEK EAD for further Project implementation and the owner of Belene NPP. Initial stakeholders of the BPC will be ROSATOM via its subsidiaries, NEK EAD and European investors who may be invited by either Party of the Memorandum.
ROSATOM State Corporation, NEK EAD and FORTUM Corporation (Finland) have signed Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Belene NPP Construction and Operation. In the framework of the Memorandum, FORTUM will become equity investor of the BPC.
Besides, ROSATOM State Corporation, NEK EAD and ALTRAN Technologies (France) became signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Belene NPP Construction and Operation. ALTRAN will also join the BPC as a stakeholder.
The documents have been signed by: on behalf of ROSATOM - Mr. Sergey Kirienko, General Director of the State Corporation; on behalf of NEK EAD - Mr. Krasimir Parvanov, Executive Director; on behalf of ALTRAN – Mr. Yves de Chaisemartin, Chief Executive Officer; on behalf of FORTUM - Mr. Matti Ruotsala, Executive Vice President.
As Mr. Kirienko has stated, the documents signed encourage implementation of Belene NPP Construction Project, do allow for transfer to the dynamic construction stage of the new Bulgarian nuclear power plant already in 2011 and underlay the basis for the Republic of Bulgaria to become the leader in Balkan region in the Power Sector.
Reference:
In 2005, bidding was announced for Belene NPP construction, and Atomstroyexport JSC was announced the winner. On the 29th of November, 2006, NEK EAD and Atomstroyexport JSC entered into Agreement on Belene NPP Construction. In 2007 the Russian Design was recognized as corresponding to all EUR technical requirements to new generation light-water nuclear power plants. On January 18, 2008, the Contract Agreement was signed for Belene NPP construction. In January 2010 Technical Council of NEK EAD approved the Belene NPP Technical Design. Approval of Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Authority as expected, for the Technical Design of Belene NPP will be obtained within the nearest time.
Belene NPP has been designed considering four-train safety system architecture, increased power units life cycle – 60 years, and the high installed nuclear capacity efficiency. The leading European Companies are involved in the project implementation: Аreva, Siemens, Nukem Technologies and GNS as well as Bulgarian Companies.
