Bulgaria’s National Electricity Company (NEK) has awarded a contract for design, construction and commissioning of Units 1 and 2 of the Belene nuclear power plant to Russia’s Atomstroyexport.
The company will supply two of its VVER 1000MWe light-water reactor units after it beat an offer led by the Czech company Skoda Alliance. The units, the new variant А92 or V-466 type, are third generation reactors offering secondary containment, four train safety channels and passive safety elements. The reactors are also recognised as among the best available, according to NEK.
The decision followed nearly a year and a half of assessment by NEK and others including the architect-engineer for the project Parsons E&C Bulgaria, and the financial consultant for the project Deloitte.
Operational lifetime of the station is 60 years, according to a statement from NEK.
Atomstroyexport is understood to lead a consortium that also includes Areva for the I&C systems.
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