Experts Assert: Euro Introduction in Bulgaria Won't Lead to Price Hikes
As Bulgaria steers towards adopting the euro, economists dispel concerns over potential price increases, assuring the public that the impact on inflation will be minimal
HOT: » Assessing the Legacy of Bulgaria's "Denkov" Cabinet: Achievements, Failures, and What Comes Next
The Bulgarian government will not accept a final price of EUR 7 B for the construction of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant by the Russian company Atomstroyexport, Bulgarian Economy and Energy Minister Traicho Traikov, stated.
The price Minister Traikov cited would include infrastructure costs of about EUR 700-800 B plus an additional EUR 500 B for consultants, as he explained.
"Therefore, if those additional EUR 1.3 B are excluded from the price, we would have a final price as we comprehend it – about EUR 5.5 B," the Bulgarian Economy and Energy Minister added. He clarified that no new Russian offer has been received up to now.
"We have enough time on our hands for additional negotiations with Russia concerning Belene, we are not in a hurry", Traikov declared.
Bulgaria and Russia were expected to shake hands on the Belene Nuclear Plant project Saturday, November 13, when a delegation headed by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived in Sofia in order to sign a series of crucial energy agreements with his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borisov. However, the focus of Putin's visit turned out to be mainly on another project – the South Stream gas pipeline.
While refusing to reveal the price that Russia's state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom and its subsidiary Atomstroyexport offered to Bulgaria for Belene, Putin said on this occasion that he expected that Bulgaria and Russia will sign an agreement for equipment for the Nuclear Power Plant by the end of 2010.
"The price of EUR 4 B for the construction of Belene is not correct. That is why we requested that experts from both countries determine a final, set price, calculating the interest, so that we know that Belene will cost this many and this many billions," Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov commented Saturday.
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
A remarkable shift in Bulgaria's energy landscape has been unveiled in the latest report from the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation, submitted to the Bulgarian parliament
Natural gas prices in Europe experienced a significant spike, surpassing 2% to reach 29 euros per megawatt-hour (MWh) on Monday
Amidst Ukraine's urgent need for additional power sources following the closure of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
Bulgarian lawmakers have taken a significant step toward bolstering the nation's energy infrastructure by advancing cooperation with the United States for the construction of Units 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant
The Bulgarian Parliament has ratified the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the United States on cooperation regarding the construction of nuclear power at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant
During a forum in Alexandroupolis, US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy, Jeffrey Payatt, highlighted the significance of a gas pipeline project through Bulgaria as the next pivotal step for energy development in the region
UN Happiness Report: Bulgaria's Astonishing Leap in Rankings
Bulgaria: 3 Regions With Lowest Life Expectancy - EU Report 2022