OREANDA-NEWS. August 12, 2011. Successful tests of passive heat removal systems at the first power unit of Kudankulam NPP constructed with technical assistance of JSC Atomstroyexport

National Electric Company EAD (NEK EAD) and State Atomic Energy Corporation “Rosatom” have established a financial working group for Belene NPP construction project. The general contractor of construction is Joint-Stock Company "Atomstroyexport" (ASE JSC), the company of State Corporation "Rosatom". Setting up of a joint working group was carried out under Addendum 13 to the Agreement of 29.11.2006 for construction of Belene NPP, earlier signed by NEK EAD and ASE JSC.

Under the guidance of Cyril Komarov, Deputy Director General of State Corporation "Rosatom", the meetings were held between representatives of the financial working group from the Russian side with the Bulgarian participants, including experts from NEK EAD, the Bulgarian Energy Holding and the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism of Bulgaria. The conducted negotiations were devoted to the issues of financial structuring of the project.

During the negotiations the representatives of State Corporation

"Rosatom" and  Atomstroyexport JSC coordinated with the Bulgarian side and officially submitted the Road Map to Traicho Traikov, Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism of Republic of Bulgaria concerning prime actions on realization of Belene NPP construction project.

For today on Belene NPP site the foundation pit is fully ready for commencement of construction of the first power unit; the concrete-mixing plant is operated; construction of the purification facilities is finalized; the civil and geotechnical laboratories are equipped accordingly.

The Technical Design of Belene NPP was approved by the technical board of NEK EAD and submitted to the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency. Experts of Bulgaria, Russia, Germany, the USA, Great Britain, the Republic of South Africa, and also from IAEA were involved in comprehensive study of the Russian design. According to the experts’ opinion, Belene design belongs to the new generation of 3+ nuclear plants and provides much higher safety level, which conforms to all international requirements.

Within the framework of Belene NPP construction, the orders were placed at the Russian, European and Bulgarian manufacturers and the long lead equipment manufacture was started. Not less than 30 % of equipment supplies, works and services will be localized in Bulgaria, thus providing essential profit to the enterprises and organizations of the real sector of the country’s national economy. Belene NPP construction will also allow to solve problems of employment of the population: tens of thousands of workplaces will be created on the construction site and beyond its bounds, and that is an important factor in the conditions of growing man power import. Belene NPP construction will allow to reduce outflow of experts from the country and will promote social and economic development of Bulgaria.