Shocker: Bulgaria Drops from UK Tourists' Cheapest Summer Spots List
In an unexpected turn, Bulgaria and Turkey have been notably absent from the list of the ten cheapest European summer destinations for British tourists
Bulgaria Belene N-Plant Said to Halve Electricity Price
Business | March 9, 2008, Sunday // 00:00
- Tweet
Send to Kindle
Russia's state-owned Atomstroyexport will design and build Belene nuclear plant two twin 1000 M reactors under a controversial EUR 4 B deal. Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)
Bulgaria's Former Minister of Economy and Energy Rumen Ovcharov has been drumming support for the construction of a new nuclear power plant, the country's second, near the northern town of Belene, across the Danube from Romania.
"Electricity prices will be reduced twice if Bulgaria completes Belene projects despite the numerous opponents," Rumen Ovcharov, currently MP from the Socialist Party, said on Sunday during his visit to the town of Nova Zagora.
The long-awaited and controversial EUR 4 B deal that will see Russia's state-owned Atomstroyexport design and build two twin 1000 M reactors was sealed at the end of January during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Sofia, more than a year after Bulgaria picked the firm.
The total costs of the project are expected to run much higher, to the tune of EUR 6-7 B, and Russia is interested in developing the lucrative project further.
Construction on the twin units is expected to begin in the second half of the year, with 2014 and 2015 as the tentative deadlines for the two reactors to go online.
Critics say the project is economically flawed, open to corruption and mismanagement, and cements Russian dominance of Bulgaria's energy sector while the government says global energy pressures make the project necessary.
Rumen Ovcharov has also been one of the most ardent proponents of Bulgaria's efforts to reopen units 3 and 4 of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant.
The two Soviet-made 440 MW reactors were closed down on January 1, 2007, as part of Bulgaria's EU accession agreements on grounds that they are outdated and dangerous. There have been heated debates about the actual motives behind this move.
"Electricity prices will be reduced twice if Bulgaria completes Belene projects despite the numerous opponents," Rumen Ovcharov, currently MP from the Socialist Party, said on Sunday during his visit to the town of Nova Zagora.
The long-awaited and controversial EUR 4 B deal that will see Russia's state-owned Atomstroyexport design and build two twin 1000 M reactors was sealed at the end of January during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Sofia, more than a year after Bulgaria picked the firm.
The total costs of the project are expected to run much higher, to the tune of EUR 6-7 B, and Russia is interested in developing the lucrative project further.
Construction on the twin units is expected to begin in the second half of the year, with 2014 and 2015 as the tentative deadlines for the two reactors to go online.
Critics say the project is economically flawed, open to corruption and mismanagement, and cements Russian dominance of Bulgaria's energy sector while the government says global energy pressures make the project necessary.
Rumen Ovcharov has also been one of the most ardent proponents of Bulgaria's efforts to reopen units 3 and 4 of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant.
The two Soviet-made 440 MW reactors were closed down on January 1, 2007, as part of Bulgaria's EU accession agreements on grounds that they are outdated and dangerous. There have been heated debates about the actual motives behind this move.
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
Bulgarian Household Incomes Offset by Inflation in 2023
According to the latest data released by the National Statistical Institute, Bulgarian household incomes experienced a remarkable surge in 2023, reaching an average of BGN 10,846 per household member.
Report Shows Bulgarians Have Doubled Their Wealth in a Decade
The National Statistical Institute's latest report unveils a marginal annual increase in the income of Bulgarians in 2023 compared to their expenses, marking a reversal of the trend observed in 2022
Ex-Economy Minister: Bulgaria Unlikely to Enter Eurozone in Early 2025
In a recent interview on Nova TV, former Minister of Economy Bogdan Bogdanov expressed skepticism regarding Bulgaria's prospects of entering the Eurozone at the outset of 2025
Bulgargaz Anticipates Liquefied Gas Deliveries via Alexandroupolis Terminal In May
In a bid to enhance its energy security and diversify its gas supply sources, Bulgargaz is gearing up for the first deliveries of liquefied gas through the Alexandroupolis terminal, set to commence in May
Bulgarian National Bank Chief Targets 2025 Eurozone Access
The path to Eurozone accession for Bulgaria may see a significant milestone in 2025, albeit not at the outset of the year, according to Dimitar Radev, the governor of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB)
