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The Bulgarian government has approved the construction of 2,000MW of new nuclear capacity at Belene and said the project would use light water reactor technology. The government approved the proposal submitted by Minister of Energy & Energy Resources Miroslav Sevlievski on 7 April. The project, which is estimated to cost €2.5-billion, will be the biggest investment in Bulgaria in the next 10 years. An official announcement said tenders would be launched for "a supplier and constructor" of the new plant and that construction would begin by late 2005 and the plant begin operating by 2011. Atomstroyexport and Areva/Framatome ANP, in concert, have proposed LWR technology for the project; Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. withdrew its proposal for a Candu-6 PHWR. The government has said it will set up a New Nuclear Company to run the project and will seek outside investors. |
