Atomstroyexport has stated it can move on to active construction already in 2011. File photo
The project for the construction of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant in Bulgaria is in a high degree of readiness, according to Atomstroyexport.
Gennady Tepkyan, Vice President of Atomstryexport, the subsidiary of Rosatom responsible for the Belene NPP project, has been quoted saying his company would "move on to active construction already this year".
"It will take 59 months to build the first unit, and the second one will be commissioned 12 months after that," he said.
The construction of the nuclear power plant would allow Bulgaria to preserve its energy independence and sustain its industrial and economic growth, Tepkyan has pointed out.
Rosatom's head Sergey Kiriyenko has also been positive about Belene's future. "We are ready to lend and invest in the project," he has declared on Monday, noting that the Bulgarian government should decide on the share it would like to keep in this project.
Atomstroyexport's declaration contradicts the statement made by the French La Tribune daily on Monday that it has advised its owner, Rosatom, to withdraw from the project in a letter.
In November, shortly after a visit to Sofia by Russian PM Putin, Bulgaria's National Electric Company NEK and Russian state company Rosatom signed a memorandum providing for a final fixed price for the two reactors of EUR 6.298 B.
This sum is still not final since the document is not binding; a final binding agreement for the establishing of a joint company for Belene is expected to emerge in 4-5 months, according to Rosatom head Sergey Kirienko, who was in Sofia to sign the document.
The other non-binding documents on Belene signed at the same time provided for participation in the project of Finnish company Fortum with a share of 1%, and of French company Altran Technologies with a share of 1%-25%. NEK is to keep a majority share of 51%, while Rosatom is also expected to have a share of 25%.
Serbia has expressed interest in acquiring a share of 5%-10% but the talks for that have not been finalized yet.