Bulgarian Govt to Propose to Parl to Restart Belene NPP Project on Thursday
Bulgaria's government said on Wednesday it approved a report on the potential options for the revival of the Belene nuclear power plant (NPP) project drafted by the energy ministry and will submit it to parliament by May 17, 2018.The analysis of the working group at the ministry has shown that the most appropriate option for rational use of the existing equipment for the project is to resume the construction of the power plant jointly with a strategic investor, on a market basis and without state guarantees, the government said in a statement following its weekly session. By using this option Bulgaria could recover the costs incurred over the years since the start of the project and will ensure the country's energy security in a long term. On Monday, local media quoted prime minister Boyko Borissov as saying the government will propose to parliament to lift the moratorium on the construction of a second nuclear power plant (NPP) in the country in order to launch talks with potential investors. The moratorium should be removed before the 16+1 summit in Sofia of the countries in Southeast Europe and China in July, Borissov added.