– Edited By Chris Reed –
Fortum Corporation, the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM and NEK (the national Bulgarian utility Natsionalna Elektricheska Kompania EAD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the development of a new nuclear power plant in Belene, Bulgaria.
According to the Memorandum of Understanding Fortum is endeavoring to participate in the Belene nuclear power plant project in Bulgaria by providing competences in nuclear technology and safety. In relation to technology services, Fortum has reserved an opportunity to obtain a 1 per cent share of the equity in the Project Company that will be established and will be the owner of the power plant and the electricity generated by it.
“It seems that the Belene project is clearly moving ahead. Therefore Fortum is also interested to offer its nuclear competences to the project and to reserve an opportunity to obtain a 1 per cent equity stake in the Project Company” says Matti Ruotsala, Executive Vice President of Fortum Corporation.
The exact size of the equity capital is subject for negotiations between shareholders, the major shareholders to be the national Bulgarian utility company NEK and ROSATOM's subsidiaries.
The Belene nuclear power plant will be constructed in northern Bulgaria near the town of Belene. According to plan, the power plant will consist of two Russian VVER-type pressurized water reactors with a 1,050 MW capacity each.
Fortum has extensive experience and an excellent track record in building, operating, maintaining and upgrading nuclear power plants. Fortum has also a long history of joint-ownerships and industrial development of nuclear power in Finland and Sweden, and is internationally recognized for its expertise in nuclear safety and waste management.