30 Nov 2010 18:35

Russia, Bulgaria to sign Belene nuclear plant docs by end of day

SOFIA. Nov 30 (Interfax) - Russia and Bulgaria will in the next few hours be signing a series of documents concerning the Belene nuclear power plant construction project, including a memorandum about the creation of a project company with Russia's state nuclear power corporation Rosatom having a roughly 40%-50% stake, Rosatom's chief, Sergei Kirienko, told reporters after a meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov.

Bulgarian National Energy Company will have control over that project company in the initial phase. "We are prepared to acquire the stake that the Bulgarian government will give us," Kirienko said. The subject of discussion now is up to 45%, he said.

Tuesday's plans also include the signing of a memorandum concerning the Finnish energy company Fortum and France's engineering concern Alstom. "It sets down their desire to joint the project and receive a small packet [of shares]," Kirienko said, adding that their involvement could increase to 25% down the road.