Russian Gazprombank is named to extend an export credit to Bulgaria's national power grid operator (NEK) for the construction of the Belene nuclear power plant.

That was announced by Bogomil Manchev, manager of "Risk Engineering", which provides technical services for the UK "Parsons Corporation", the Dnevnik Daily reported.

During his visit to Moscow two weeks ago, Bulgaria's Energy Minister, Petar Dimitrov, asked Russia for EUR 3,8 B financing. Bulgaria referred to Russia after the ongoing global financial and economic crisis knocked down other financing options for what banks consider a risky project.

Other banks to potentially bankroll the nuclear scheme include Sberbank, Vnesheconombank and Vneshtorgovbank. Earlier in 2009 Russian media reported that Sberbank and Gazprombank have asked for a government lifeline to shelter against the global economic crisis.

Ivan Atanasov, who chairs the project's coordination and monitoring team, confirmed that the issue of prospective lenders had been on the table but said no details have been agreed yet.

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