30.09.2011
SC Rosatom company Atomstroyexport JSC, the general contractor of Belene NPP construction, and Natsionalna Elektricheska Kompania EAD, NEK, Bulgaria, extended the validity period of the Agreement on Belene NPP construction.
On September 30, in Sofia the parties signed Amendment 14 to the Agreement on Belene NPP construction extending its effective period up to March 31, 2012 which proved their willingness to proceed with the project implementation.
At present, geological surveys, drilling works and preparation of foundation pit are completed in full scope to start the construction of the 1st Unit; also an operative concrete mixing plant, treatment facilities and appropriately equipped construction and geotechnical laboratories are available at the site.
Russian design of Belene NPP construction is found consistent with EUR technical requirements for light water reactors of new generation. In 2010 the Basic Design for Belene NPP including the Interim Safety Analysis Report (ISAR) and the Probabilistic Safety Analysis (PSA) were approved by the Technical Committee of Natsionalna Elektricheska Kompania, Bulgaria, and submitted for review to the Nuclear Regulation Agency. A comprehensive study of the project involved experts from Bulgaria, Russia, Germany, USA, Great Britain, Republic of South Africa, and IAEA. According to experts’ evaluation, the project is regarded as nuclear power plant III+ of new generation and ensures a high safety level complying with all international codes and standards.
Within the framework of Belene NPP construction the orders for equipment manufacturing have been placed with Russian, European and Bulgarian manufactures, including long manufacturing cycle equipment which production has already been started. No less than 30% of equipment supplies, works and services for Belene NPP will be allocated Bulgaria.
Reference :
2005 saw an international tender on the construction of NPP Belene with a successful tenderer Atomstroyexport JSC. On November 29, 2006 an Agreement on Belene NPP construction and on January 18, 2008 a Contract Agreement were signed between NEK EAD and ZAO ASE.
