30 Aug (NucNet): Representatives of Chinese state-owned nuclear developer China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) have expressed interest in “the future” of Bulgaria’s Belene nuclear project during a meeting with the country’s energy minister Temenuzhka Petkova, a statement on the ministry’s website said.
In June, the Geneva-based International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce ordered Bulgaria’s state-owned National Electric Company to pay €620m ($703m) in compensation to Russia’s nuclear equipment manufacturer Atomstroyexport for the cancellation of the project in 2012.
According to the ministry’s statement, CGN had earlier sent an official letter requesting to meet Ms Petkova and expressing interest in “potential cooperation” with Bulgaria in the nuclear field.
Ms Petkova said the Bulgarian side was ready for talks with any potential investor who would express interest in the Belene project, but certain conditions were in place such as the absence of state guarantees and long-term contracts for the purchase of the energy produced.
The energy ministry provided CGN with information about all details of the Belene project, including the existing on-site infrastructure and licensing requirements and regulations, the statement said.
Earlier this month, Bulgaria’s prime minister Boyko Borissov was quoted by the media as saying that Sofia is exploring various options to revive the cancelled Belene nuclear power station project, including working with private investors.
Since the arbitration decision in June 2016, Bulgaria has not paid the compensation claim and the country’s officials have been seeking ways to find an alternative solution on the future of Belene.
