Rosatom Mad at Bulgarian Minister for 'Downgrading' Their Reactors

Business » ENERGY | March 13, 2011, Sunday // 18:09
Bulgaria: Rosatom Mad at Bulgarian Minister for 'Downgrading' Their Reactors Bulgarian Economy Minister Traikov (left) and Rosatom head Kirienko smile at one another in Sofia, Nov 30, 2010. Photo by BGNES

Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom has slammed Bulgarian Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Traicho Traikov over a statement he made about the troubled project for Bulgaria's second NPP in Belene.

Speaking on Darik Radio on Saturday, Traikov declared that the two reactors that Rosatom and its subsidiary Atomstroyexport are supposed to provide for the Belene Nuclear Power Plant will be of the 2+ generation, with sufficiently reliable protection against earthquakes with magnitude of up to 7.0 on the Richter scale.

Traikov was commenting on the reliability of the nuclear facilities in Bulgaria over concerns caused by the damages on nuclear plants in Japan by Friday's devastating earthquake there.

"State corporation Rosatom expresses its great surprise at the statement of Economy, Energy, and Tourism Minister... We believe that because of his position, the Minister should be aware that the Belene NPP project offers reactors of generation 3+, certified according to European Utility Requirements (EUR), with an unique combination of passive and active safety defense ... that cannot be found in any other type of reactors produced at the moment," Rosatom said in a statement to the Bulgarian media.

In its statement Rosatom also denied being involved in any official talks with Bulgaria over the price of the construction of the Belene NPP - while the Bulgarian government has been talking about being in such talks for months.

It further points out that the protection of such a reactor can withstand the crash of a 400-ton aircraft, and confirms Traikov's words that the reactor can function in the event of an earthquake of 7th degree on the Richter scale in accordance with the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Rosatom says that its CEO Sergey Kirienko is going to make a formal inquiry with Traikov about the reasons for his statement.

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Tags: Rosatom, Traicho Traikov, Economy Minister, Eelene NPP, Nuclear Power Plant, reactors, reactor

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