Serbia will participate in the project to build a second Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in the Bulgarian Danube town of Belene, Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, announced Saturday.

Borisov spoke after the conclusion of his talks with Serbian President, Boris Tadic, in the Black Sea city of Varna late Friday.

The energy projects have been high on the agenda and the two have discussed the percentage and the amount of share capital of Serbia’s participation, Borisov said, stressing on the importance of these parameters.

“These numbers are crucial. Because the previous, socialist-led coalition cabinet, used another one of their tricks and manipulations in the Belene project. They say the contract for the two units amounts to EUR 4 B, but never mention the inflation factor and the Russian demand to update the amount by adding another EUR 2.8 B. Plus the EUR 500 M for the consultant, plus the needed infrastructure, plus the interest rate on an eventual loan – the price will end up being EUR 6-7 B, not EUR 4 B,” the PM is quoted saying.

Borisov further pointed out he had received from Tadic a firm “yes” on Serbia taking part in the Bulgarian NPP, but the numbers will be finalized after a European strategic investor is found.

The Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy, Petar Skundric, has also offered support to his country’s inclusion in the project to build a second Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in the Bulgarian Danube town of Belene.

Skundric, as cited by Serbian newspaper Blitz, has stated Serbia’s participation in the Belene project would be “a good thing,” because his country has no plans to build their own NPP. Skundric further explains experts are examining the Bulgarian proposal.

“Blitz” comments that despite the fact specialists consider participation in Belene a “good idea,” it remains unclear why Serbia would take part in energy projects of a foreign country when in the last 20 years nothing has been done in the local energy sector. The article cites an opponent of the project among these experts, saying the Bulgarian NPP should not be among the priorities of the cabinet.

“Blitz” further writes that Belene will be finished in 7 years and will cost between EUR 6 and 7 B while Serbia received an offer to participate with 5% i.e. EUR 300-350 M.

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