Bulgaria, Russia Sign Agreement on Belene Nuclear Plant

                                                                                         

Bulgaria's National Electric Company (NEK) and Russia's Atomstroyexport announced Friday [January 18] the signing of the principal agreement for the construction of a nuclear power plant at Belene. It was one of eight agreements signed between Bulgaria and Russia on the second day of an official visit here of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The agreement provides for the design, construction and commissioning of Units 1 and 2 of the Belene N-plant and is worth 3,997,260,000 euro. The two reactors will have an output capacity of 1,000 MW each. The principal foreign subcontractor for the Russian company is CARSIB, a consortium of Areva NP of France and Siemens of Germany. Atomstroyexport won the Belene contract in a public procurement tender in November 2006, beating Skoda Alliance of the Czech Republic.

The agreement was signed by NEK CEO Lyubomir Velkov, Executive Director Mardik Papazyan and Atomstroyexport President Sergei Shmatko. It was possible after the project was greenlighted by the European Commission in December 2007. The plant's site is about 25 km from Svishtov and 7.5 km from the border with Romania.
The site was approved in 1984 and construction began in 1987. Due to various constraints, including financial ones arising from the political changes in Bulgaria at the time, construction was suspended in 1991. Since then, significant funds have been invested in conservation works to maintain the site, and the initial works undertaken, in good condition. Following an extensive environmental impact assessment and feasibility study commissioned by the government, it gave permission for the construction of the Belene plant to recommence in April 2004.
Following the signing of the project agreement, the construction of the plant's first unit is to start in 2008 with a view to reaching operational status by the beginning of 2013. The second unit is scheduled to become operational in 2014. The reactors will have a service life of 60 years.
Technical background to the project:
The Belene N-plant will use AES92, a pressurized water reactor, with a power capacity of 1049 MWe. The two units, which will provide a total installed electrical power of 2000 MWe and are of a new design based on VVER technology, developed by Atomstroyexport. Compared to previous VVER 1000 Russian reactor types in operation, the AES92 should comprise advanced technology passive safety systems and are considered to be in compliance with European Utility Requirements for Light Water Reactors in the EU.

About the author:
Velimir Lackovic runs internet portal "Energetika" ( http://www.energetika.co.yu )
dedicated to renewable energy sources,oil gas and energy efficiency. Velimir has
completed gratuadte studies in power systems engineering and
has industry experiance of over 20 years in this field.

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